I have been reading about the power of prayer in the Bible, reflecting on modern day miracles and doing a lot of praying myself.  There are many responses to miracles post prayer. Some say that the miracles come from modern medicine and doctors who have done their own scientific research and discovered the solution to the problem. Others believe that the answer was found within the pray-er and the act of talking through the problem in prayer which brought about the solution.  And then there are those who believe that it truly is an answer from God.   

I tend to believe that all situations are true. God works in and through us to do amazing things all the time.  But I also believe that God really hears us and answer our prayers. And today I am praying for a miracle.  

There are a lot of reasons our world needs a miracle. Hate and violence is a staple of our daily news. Shootings have become a regular occurrence. Political campaigns seem more focused on winning then on what is best for our country.  Leaders who seem to care more for themselves than their communities. I could be talking about a lot of things in our world today but the one thing that I keep turning to in prayer are our sisters and brothers in Haiti. 

To understand the whole story, you first have to understand the country itself. Haiti has a story of conflict, corruption, and resilience beginning when they were conquered by the French.  Haiti became the largest producer in the world of coffee and sugar in the 1700s. They won their independence and expelled all French people in 1804.  The country was punished because no one would buy the coffee and sugar from an independent slave owned country.  The country’s population is made up of almost 90% descendants from African slaves so France required restitution and reparation equaling $21 billion today for the “theft” of slaves’ lives and the profitable sugar and coffee plantations.  (Haiti did finally pay it off in 1947 which should say something about their resolve and abilities as a country).  They are a people who are strong, passionate and willing fight for what they want.   

Today the country is in turmoil again because of country-wide protests asking the current president for his resignation.  The reasons for the request are complicated but overall the citizens don’t believe the president is fulfilling his promises, has become corrupt, nor has the Haitians best interests at heart. All main roads are blocked making it impossible for people to travel to sell or buy goods, get food or visit each other.  Their currency has depreciated significantly, food and fuel shortages are everywhere.  The sitting president Jovenel Moise refuses to resign and the fight just keeps getting worse.   

What this means for Pastor Luc and the Harmony Ministries congregations is that school is closed. This is true for most places in the country. Families can’t afford to get food to eat and children are at home. The hospitals can’t stay open or have proper medical supplies because of the fuel shortages to keep the electricity off and the lack of supplies able to get to the hospital.  Streets are closed and Pastor Luc is staying home except on Sundays when protests pause for folks to go to worship. 

That is a lot of background to say it is a paralyzing feeling when our friends are struggling so much and no one even knows about it. Every time I close my eyes I see all their children in their pink shirts and navy-blue pants smiling at school. I see the women who received our hygiene kits. I see the families at church in their best dressed outfits ready to worship. I see people who are just trying to survive and doing it with their faith in Jesus Christ. Even when we do learn about the struggles there isn’t much we can do except pray and tell their stories.  So I invite you to do both.  Tell the story because the media is not.  And pray for a community that needs a miracle.  

Pray for people to be safe. 
Pray for answers to come to a fuel crisis.
Pray for people to find medical care when they need it. 
Pray for the government leaders to hear God’s leanings for what is best for the country. 
Pray for the world to see what is happening in Haiti and help them for their sake.
Pray for the protesters to know what they want and how they might achieve that goal.
Pray for Pastor Luc as he shepherds his flock.
Pray for those who are afraid, that they might rest in God’s embrace.
Pray for those who are hungry, that they find food and water.
Pray for the people in Harmony Ministry congregations to trust God will get them through.
Pray for individuals and their families who have died in the midst of this conflict.
Pray that the conflict will end soon. 

I believe in prayer.  Please join in praying for our friends.