May 2022
Nougat 5
Sometimes it’s easy to assume we’re the only ones going through. Or we assume that calamity is all about punishment for ‘those’ people; whatever that means. But today’s Holy Nougat
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
These days it is easier to remember other believers facing trials; the news keeps us alert of the major headlines. But that’s a tiny tip of the iceberg. For, we often find that news is subjective. We all are impacted by different priorities, and they influence what is published as news and how long the information remains ‘current’. Thus, what is headlines today can be a line of filler tomorrow, we have to discern whether to stay abreast.
Of course, many of our issues never make the local headlines. And for that, many of us are grateful. Yet we realize that in order to truly do Justice to our own siblings in faith as well as our own selves, we have to read the news behind the news.
That’s also the call to be our siblings’ keeper. Hmm hmm. We can fight for ourselves and others at the same time. Did I hear you ask ‘How?’ – that’s a great question. For the strong impression I am receiving in my spirit is Praying. Whether it’s problems created by us or for us, we know that other saints are also needing to overcome issues like ours. So while we undergo our own issue; we can pray for deliverance of others faced with similar challenges. Additionally, we can do that with the headlines or the one-liners: as we read/listen we pray for those all over who didn’t make the headlines; that they might overcome.
So we read about the unfolding dramatic hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. Do we only pray for the end of the war, or we cover the vulnerable who are often targets of rape and abuse? Do we pray for the restoration of minds caused by the traumatic wartime experiences? Moreover, do we remember Myanmar, Ethiopia, Israel-Palestine, Columbia and those living in the Middle East who wake daily to the trauma of war; despite being dropped from the headlines.
When we read of, or worse – experience – violence, we can pray God’s deliverance of all who are impacted? The same applies to robbery, political and ecclesiastical woes besetting our lands. And, if we are migrants – legal or off the official record – we can pray for migrants and displaced persons globally. We are in this journey this world together. So, let’s choose to pray for each other.
And remember that prayer is even more powerful when accompanied with action. I pray even now that we each will find release, that we will remain watchful and overcome our common enemy; and most of all that we pray others into deliverance from similar challenges. Lord in Your mercy, please help us!
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May all we seek be found in Christ