What is this world coming to?

Kiev, Crimea, Homs, Yarmouk, Cairo, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Manus Island. If you don’t know why these places have been in the news lately you may want to stop now and go and find out; if you do, read on.

Every day it seems there is another tragic story from one of these places or somewhere. It’s very easy to feel a sense of despair about where our world is heading. It’s equally easy for that feeling to be our only response and for it to only last a couple minutes before we get back to work or study or hanging out with family or friends. Another common response is to just ignore it – it’s not happing to me so why should I care?

We should care because what happens in one part of the world does affect other parts of the world and, more importantly, we should care because all those who are suffering around the world are just like you and me – created and loved by God. Despairing is not caring. Not only does it not do anything but it also paralyses us so we can’t do anything.

So what can we do? First of all we can talk to the one who is above all others, the creator of the universe, the one with the power and authority to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine. 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

But in the face of such great suffering how and what do we pray? This could be a good place to start:

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,  your kingdom come, your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’ (Matthew 6:9-13)

Another starting point could be this simple prayer I first heard many years ago that has stuck with me ever since: 

Break my heart God for what breaks yours.

Prayer is important but it should not be our only response. 

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

There are a variety of actions we could take. We could give money, we could do volunteer work, we could raise awareness about what is happening, we could write to politicians. Whatever action(s) we are to do and whatever group(s) of suffering people our actions will be in aid of is something to be decided between us and God (yes more prayer).