Early this year the world was rocked by the news of a devastating earthquake in one of the worlds poorest countries. Alana posted several blogs to help focus our prayers. The situation today is just as desperate and the call to prayer just as relevant as Haiti battles disease and fears civil war. Please pray.

The headlines begin to drop down the page.  The telethons are over.  Slowly the latest world disaster fades from our minds.

Two weeks after the Haiti earthquake a conference on the redevelopment of Haiti declared that the process would take decades.  Decades.  That’s long after the spotlight has faded and the clean up crews go home.  Haiti will be rebuilding for a long long time.

How do we pray for the long-term? 

Pray hope for the country - Hope is an easy term to throw around.  The hope that Haiti needs is a sustaining hope that gives them strength for the years to come.

Pray renewal for the people - Stories are coming out of a renewed faith in Haiti.  Pray that their thankfulness at survival and searching for meaning leads to faith and hope beyond their circumstances.

Pray healing for the broken - Having seen so much and lived through so much the scars on hearts and minds will run deep.  There is fear of being indoors.  Pray a supernatural healing over their minds.

Pray wisdom for the rebuilders - As the worlds powers discuss the best way to rebuild the country we need to remember the mistakes of our colonial past.  Pray wisdom to become passionate and respectful.

Pray comfort - Even as it feels like the mourning won’t end, the poverty can’t be fixed, and circumstances can’t be changed, pray as sense of the presence of God close to them.

 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

This was originally posted 3rd February 2010 and is republished here as part of our end of year round up of memories from 2010.