A Prayer for Haiti
WRITTEN BY REV DR LAURENCE GRAHAM, GENERAL SECRETARY OF WORLD MISSION PARTNERSHIP
There is a Haitian Creole proverb which reads, “Deye mon, gen mon” (“Beyond every mountain, there’s another mountain”) and life certainly feels like that for people there today. Already one of the poorest countries in the world, Haiti has been descending into near chaos during the last few years. Legacy of colonial oppression, ongoing political instability, natural disasters, health emergencies and now a dramatic breakdown in law and order have left this nation of over 10 million people on the brink. Yet Haitian people remain proud, resilient and energetic when given half a chance.
The Methodist Church began work in Haiti in 1817, one of the first churches to do so after the birth of the nation. It is a growing church, actively proclaiming the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ all over the country while also working in education, agriculture, healthcare and civic renewal. Motivated by their motto, “the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5v14), Haitian Methodists have a deep-seated instinct to reach out, at every level, doing what they can to meet the social needs of their community. Irish Methodist World Mission Partnership has just sent a substantial solidarity grant for our sister Church in Haiti to use in its ongoing pastoral care, outreach, and community service.
Let us pray for Haiti at this time.
Father God,
We pray for the brave and determined people of Haiti as their nation struggles.
While most of the population lives on a shoestring, we watch with amazement their dignity, determination and faith.
We pray for stability, peace, health, justice and well-being.
As we pray for Haiti give us the courage to allow ourselves to be challenged by the faith in all circumstances which the Haitian people display.
We pray also for the Methodist Church in Haiti and for all your people there as they seek to share your Good News, reaching out in word and action throughout the nation.
In your name,
Amen.
World Mission Partnership
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