Living the Gospel for Haiti
As we pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering from the earthquake in Haiti, I remember the words of Jesus in his home synagogue of Nazareth.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor. (Luke 4:18)
The Good News of Jesus Christ is first and foremost good news to the poor. If it isn’t, then it isn’t the Gospel. So let us be as generous with our pockets as we are with our prayers. Let our faith bear much fruit in this occasion and in so many others, that we might become disciples of Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, became poor for our sake.
There are many good organizations though whom you might give sacrificially for Haiti disaster relief. I’d suggest the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which channels 100% of your gift directly to those in need. I’ve worked with UMCOR in several different ways (including putting my life in their hands in Africa) and have the highest respect for their people and organization. You can give to their Haiti Emergency fund here.
If you need some words, then perhaps this prayer from Taylor Burton-Edwards (General Board of Discipleship, UMC) might be a place to start:
The seas roar, the earth shakes,
buildings crumble, roofs topple
and walls turn to dust.Have mercy on the people of Haiti, O God.
Nations watch, alarms sound,
traffic halts, utilities stop,
and news is hard to verify.Give us compassion to weep with those who weep, O God.
People die, families mourn,
mountains split,
infrastructure and superstructure alike are gone.Make us swift to help and persistent to rebuild,
not just things and structures, but lives, O God:Through Christ, the solid Rock.
Amen and Amen.
