Prayer

Civil War in Congo and Ethiopia: Lament and Pray

By: Tim Kratzer, M.D.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo tribal conflict resulted in a civil war from the late 1990s up to 2006 with the loss of more lives than in any war since WW II. Free Methodists were at the center of the slaughter yet how many of us did not even know about it. When things are very bad it is not too bad to pray. God does not call us to forget it but to lament. Indeed, we did help and with some help, our hospital in Congo remained open. There is still trouble in parts of the Congo, but God is answering prayer. UN troops are there now but these troops cannot extinguish hatred. In Rwanda and Burundi, there were major efforts by churches and outside agencies to bring about forgiveness and peace. When I was teaching mental health at Hope Africa University, I saw what had been happening. Some of the students watched as their parents were killed yet they forgave those who were responsible. God can heal and abolish hatred, even in regions of the Congo where tribalism continues.

But now we have a new civil war, in Ethiopia and since Ethiopia. The war is between Tigray prominence and the central government. Although the central government was reported to have defeated the Tigray rebels, that may not be the case and many killings continue.

Ethiopia’s Civil War Is a Disaster That’s Only Getting Worse
Bloomberg Opinion, August 31, 2021

There may be terrible famine. Aid cannot get to those in need. Farmers cannot plant their crops and animals are dilled. Again, this is too horrible to think about. We have enough problems of our own, but these are God’s people, even if they are destroying each other and themselves. Many are Christians. Again, we need to lament and call our churches to pray.

Would it be too much to pray for these nations each Sunday for the rest of the year or pray once a month with a progress report? (Check BBC and African news.) And yes, our churches there need money but let’s start with real lament and prayer. The problems are beyond money, beyond the UN and at this point, they seem to be even beyond our churches but they are not beyond God.

Praying for Haiti After Another Deadly Earthquake

BY: NORMAN WETTERAU, M.D. - FMHF PRESIDENT

Haiti: Ten years ago, Haiti had a terrible earthquake. In 2021 the president was assassinated, and the government is unstable. There is a covid epidemic.  Then there is another major earthquake. The government seems incapable of helping its people. Even outside relief agencies are having trouble getting help to where it is needed. How can God allow one country to suffer so much? Many Free Methodists are giving money to help.  We wonder what our Church leaders in Haiti are thinking

How to Pray for Haiti After Another Deadly Earthquake
Christian leaders in Haiti share what is different for believers between 2010 and now, as death toll passes 1,900.
[From Christianity Today]

Christianity Today had an interesting article, which is worth reading (see link above). They point out that the repeated damage was partially due to the earthquake, partially due to the poor government, and partly due to an attitude of hopelessness. Lament and hopelessness are not the same. After the last earthquake, people asked why buildings were not built in a way to help them not collapse in an earthquake. After the large quake ten years ago, building codes were developed but ignored, even by churches. Pastors in Haiti point out that nothing changed and that if larger buildings had been built to code, the loss of life would have been less. Of course, corruption is part of the reason. Corruption causes nations to stay in poverty and prevents change. But rather than complain and blame, we need to lament corruption and ask God to raise up national Christians to challenge the norm such as the pastors who are quoted in this article.

The article is an interesting discussion of political and theological issues that help make Haiti unable to change or even usefully use aid. There is much lament but not hopelessness. God is at work and Christians in Haiti and outside or trying to help. Various pastors for Haiti are quoted and the article gives lists of specific things to pray for concerning Haiti. Share this with your church (as well as what is happening in Africa). Many times, we do not want to know because we do not know what to do, but we are called to prayer and lament. We are not to look away or be too busy but as we lament and pray, and even give, we realize how seemly hopeless the problems are in Haiti yet we are called to lament and pray, not ignore and pray. Over the years God has does some great things through our mission efforts and the efforts of the local church. People have given and have prayed, let’s continue. Share the link to the Christianity Today article with others after you read it.

Another viewpoint:

Churches In Haiti Lie In Ruins After The Earthquake But Still Try To Comfort And Help
NPR News (April 30)

This news reports the destruction of catholic churches but then points out how much the churches do for the people. For many they receive their education in church-run schools, and churches supply food and much help to many, all things that the government seems unable to do. Protestant churches were included, and the report shows that despite all the troubles, God is still at work through churches in Haiti. Destruction of the buildings do not change that. This report in a secular news outlet makes me feel very good as a Christian. Keep praying and keep helping.

A Prayer Amid an Epidemic

By: Kerry Weber, Executive Editor of America Magazine

Originally published in America Magazine: The Jesuit Review. Used with Permission.

Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Jesus

Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

Prayer, Christian Community, and the Presence of God

by: Norm Wetterau , M.D. - FMHF President

Recently my wife had two aneurysms clipped. The fact that they were discovered without having them rupture was a miracle in itself. Her recuperation has not been rapid but I am learning a lot through this. I know that many of you have had similar experiences. So many people said they would pray. They prayed that the operation would be a success and prayed for her recovery. I was frightened and praying that Christ would be present with Nancy in the operating room and with both of us in her rehab and recovery process.

As her recovery became longer, people continued to pray. The number praying was large: our family, church, friends, and even prisoners in the Maximum Security Prison, Attica. She had spoken at a retreat there and shared about her coming surgery. In all of this I realized that God does not answer these prayers just through her healing but that in a sense God showed His presence through these people’s prayers . God is present through our Christian friends and community .

So many people in our church, friends and family are praying. Community is very important and a manifestation of Christ in the world. That community included guys in prison, Nancy was in an Attica prison retreat a month ago. Attica is a famous maximum security prison and many men spend the rest of their lives there and die there, but for some Jesus walks with them. At a retreat there she gave a talk : “Confidence in Christ.” In this she talks a lot about her illness and ends up: I have been amazed at the PEACE I have felt for the last 15 months. I know many people have been PRAYING for me and God is right beside me.

The prisoners prayed for her and promised to pray for the surgery. So I sat next to her in the hospital knowing that church friends, other friends and family are praying but also prisoners in this notorious maximum security prison. God is here because of these prayers but He is also here because he is where one prays prayer makes one aware He is here. What I have discovered is that God is also present in a praying Christian community. Many times Jesus shows himself in other people and here is an example: Regardless of what happens God is here and also his Body, the praying community of faith which is the church and includes those in Attica which are also part of that community. God shows himself through others I knew that and knew that in some cases God has shown himself through me, but this is even better, seeing God respond to our needs through others. Community is something that God can create if we let Him.