Never forget your story

 As we took a moment earlier this month to reflect on the tragic day that befell us on September 11^th of 2001, I was reading and looking at photos displaying the outcry of compassion and love shown to the US immediately following that day that will forever be implanted in our minds.  Among the host of images were purple mohawked hipsters aligned side by side with WWII veterans outside of the gates of the US Embassy in both Berlin and London, as well as shots of men and women crying in the streets of Israel.  Not only was it our allies who poured out their sympathies, but also those who have been deemed our enemies.  A massive panoramic shot displayed 1 million sympathizers lining the streets in Tehran with candles, holding a vigil for the tragedy that had befallen the United States.  Even Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat was captured on camera donating his blood to the injured as a sign of compassion and support. [img_assist|nid=54777|title=1 million vigil holders in Tehran after 9/11|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=73] 

The story that touched me most was of a pastor of a congregation in Rwanda say that the very next Sunday after 9/11, he and his entire congregation were convicted to pray and hold a 7 day fast for our country, which 99% of the congregation had only bore witness to distant images most often captured through a Hollywood lens.  What shocked me was I don’t know anyone here in the US who had fasted for even a day.  But for an entire congregation on the other side of the world to grab a hold of this call, to allow their hearts to be broken by what had broken our Father’s heart, and corporately commit to 7 days of prayer and fasting was unreal. 

As the memories from that tragic day have healed, I can’t help but ask myself, would we be willing to hear the call of the orphan, the widow, and the oppressed, and meet them in their hour of need through the same compassionate and committed prayer that was given to us? To shed the indifference and let our hearts beat and break in unison with God and his image bearers.   

I have felt personally impacted by this as the price of gas and food skyrocket, while the economy spirals into recession, my extended family and friends in West Africa are struggling to put food on their table.  This is not just an American dilemma, but has deeply affected the developing world.  As reports from Haiti continue to roll in of 1 million people left without homes while they attempt to fill their stomachs with sun baked “cakes” made from butter and dirt in an effort to momentarily relieve the impending feeling of starvation.  Estimates suggest that the 30,000 who die each day from starvation and poverty related issues will only increase with the current world crises. 

Most of the time, these numbers are just that—numbers.  They are too large for us to comprehend, so most of us do little to intervene.  But, my question is, isn’t that shortchanging our mighty God?  The last time I checked, God was and is incomprehensible. 

Now, while the world suffers through this crucial time, let’s learn from our brothers and sisters in Rwanda, and first of all pray.  Second, as the church in Rwanda fasted for us, I would like to ask for a commitment to a day a week fast, where we are engaged in prayer, as well as an active means of campaigning where you feel led to be involved in.  Write letters to the paper, to our congress, to our senator.  Let us not forget the cries of the oppressed through our own domestic trials.  As we are His children, we have the privilege to respond to the task set before us and build for His Kingdom.