It feels like we are in crisis mode 24/7 in our world.
Pandemics, protests, social unrest and war. We look to the past with a belief that there were better times there. But we cannot go back, we must move forward… that can be scary.
Many people hunker down and repeat the mantra, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus.” But is that from fear of the future? Jesus tells us to not to worry, “You will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic.” But in our human frailty we do panic, we do worry.
A recent survey found 66 percent of people know someone struggling with anxiety and depression. One worry I have on top of the Ukrainian war, a problem I have seen little ink spilled over. A problem that threatens to destabilize large portions of the world is food, if this war in the Ukraine is not finished soon. The farmers will struggle to plant wheat. Russia and Ukraine are in the top-five of food exporters in the world. The world needs this food and if it doesn’t get it, it will lead to hunger. And when people are hungry it leads to political instability. Political instability leads to more war.
There may be a sense of hopelessness in that statement, but as a Christian with faith in God I find hope. People have a God-given innate desire to help others. When evil strikes there is a desire to push back against the darkness.
I read a story about Peter Kent that I have not been able to verify. Kent was a frontline journalist, covering the news in some of the darkest wars. He tells of trying to be the first on site to spread the truth of the situation. He claims that no matter how fast they got there, people are already helping those in need. Jeremiah, an Old Testament prophet who lived on the frontlines in a time of chaos, passes a message to the people – people like today who are unsure of the future – “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile and pray to the Lord on its behalf.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7)
Seek the welfare, work to aid people – we can see that in the Ukrainian war. People opening their homes to refugees, sending money, sending supplies, hosting fundraisers. An example is Knox Presbyterian Church in Listowel having a hymn sing on April 8 at 7 p.m. for Ukrainian relief. People are pushing back, but what more can a person do? Pray; scriptures tell a truth that God knows our prayers before we even speak to them. Jesus hears our prayers and responds.
When we are overwhelmed prayer is one thing we can do. A missionary by the name of Brother Andrew says, “Our prayers can go where we cannot… there are no borders, no prison walls, no doors that are closed to us when we pray.”
I challenge you to stop and pray, right now…
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Ernie Naylor serves as minister at Atwood Presbyterian Church.
