In this hour, prayers are needed. Though separated by region, circumstance, and cause, the people of Afghanistan and Haiti share in the commonality of deep and painful suffering. As our news feeds are filled with images and statistics from these countries depicting the heartache and turmoil felt by our global siblings, we are called to prayer: for mercy among those grieving the loss of loved ones, for safety amid war and chaos, for the healing of those injured in body or soul, for peace, and for the restoration of all God’s beloved. Thousands of miles away yet yoked in our common humanity, we lift our prayers for the Haitian and the Afghani peoples.
For the people most affected by the crisis created by the US withdrawing military troops from Afghanistan:
And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
We pray to you Merciful God, in this time of great sorrow, pain, and confusion. You are our refuge and our strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Reveal your presence in the midst of the people of Afghanistan. Protect them, so that the feelings of forsakenness and desperation will not overtake them. Hold them amid their fear and pain. Give them liberty and freedom. Come quickly to their aid that they may know, peace and joy again.
And for those affected by natural disasters from the recent earthquake impacting Haiti and the surrounding areas as well as the tropical storms affecting the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, U.S minor outlying Islands and Cuba. We pray for all the lives lost, being mindful of the 1,941 (and rising) Haitian people killed and over 6,000 injured leaving some 30,000 plus homeless.
We offer prayers:
O holy God, whose name is above all names. We share in Jesus’ cry from the cross amid loss and the feeling of abandonment. As creation groans, the earth rumbles and the skies darken. Hear our cries and hold your peoples caught in the throes of creation’s turmoil. Do not forsake your peoples in Haiti and the surrounding areas. Surround them in mercy and strengthen them in love. Stir people, agencies, governments, and ourselves to give gifts of support to heal and rebuild. Empower the global community to stand in solidarity and seek a way forward and a path that leads to abundant life. This we pray with Jesus’ words on our lips and hope in our hearts. Amen.
Babette Chatman & Justin Lind-Ayres
Co-University Pastors