A PRAYER FOR HAITI:
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NRSV)
Dear Lord,
We recognise that the situation seems less than hopeful in Haiti right now. We lament and cry alongside our brothers and sisters there that are facing hunger and danger. We think of our Methodist brothers and sisters who continue to serve you and their communities faithfully, despite such dire circumstances.
Yet we know that your word says that your promise to the nation of Haiti is that you have good plans for its future, including plans for its welfare and plans for a hopeful future.
We pray that at this time, your people will cling to your promise and to you until they see it fulfilled.
We thank you for the strength and faith for better days of the Haitian people.
We pray that you give Haiti’s political leaders the wisdom to know how to weaken the strength of the many gangs who are controlling the country. We pray that you change the hearts of gang leaders and members and that they will become contributors to Haiti society and cease criminal, violent activity. We pray that they would come to know Jesus, that their hearts would be radically changed and that they would start serving God and their community.
We pray that the solution to Haiti’s security and food security issues would come from within the Haitian people. We pray that any international support would be led by Haitians for Haitians so that there would be long lasting peace, political, social and economic stability.
We pray especially for our Methodist partners at this time, the Haiti District of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas. We pray that you would strengthen them and fill them with hope, that they would continue to be faithful witnesses of your love for Haiti.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen