By Trina Pockett
Stonecroft Divisional Field Director
“Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.”—Amos 5:24
God loves justice. All throughout Scripture, we see God’s response to people who are being oppressed. He saves. He delivers. He heals.
God called Moses to action to lead the Israelites to freedom. He positioned Esther to speak up and a nation was preserved. He gave David strength and courage to defeat a giant. God sent His Son to rescue people.
Today, we read headlines about human trafficking, extreme poverty, suicide, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, depression, and child abandonment. These are injustices that break the heart of God.
God is calling out to His people. How will we respond?
Our first response should be prayer. We must acknowledge that these injustices are too big for us to carry alone. Only God’s power can rescue, heal, and transform this world. We get to engage in the process by first, turning our hearts to God, and pleading on behalf of other people. From there, He will direct us into action.
Let’s make this our prayer!
God, we pray for the leading of the Holy Spirit, healing for the oppressed, comfort for the brokenhearted, deliverance for those in bondage, courage for us to take action, and for a mighty flood of justice in our land. We give You all glory and honor. In your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Striding in the Sunshine or Soaking in His Grace?
By Laura Muckerman
Stonecroft Staff Writer
These days, I find myself praying more frequently than ever for the Stonecroft staff and our families, and I hope you will, too. So many of us are affected by serious illness in our families.
I have to confess that when I pray for God’s help, either for myself or for someone I love, I want deliverance from trouble, not spiritual growth through trouble. I want the medical test results to be good. I want the difficulty to end. I want the pain to go away—now!
But often God’s answer—and He always answers—seems to be either “no” or “wait.”
Scripture has much to say about why God allows trials, but if He were to give us a simple, elementary-school-reading-level explanation, it might be something like this:
“In the sunshine, My children stride down the road of life.
“In evening shadows, My children raise a quick prayer, then cautiously step forward.
“But in torrential rain, My children pause beside the road and cry out to Me for help. And, though they may not know it, people who love them are calling out to Me on their behalf, too.
“As I hear these cries, I rush to gather My children in My arms. When they fix their eyes on Me, their fear gives way to trust, and their weakness becomes a showcase for My strength. If the storm lingers, their rain-soaked faces resemble the Savior’s a little more each day.”
Let’s pray for health and happiness, hoping the answer is “yes.” Let’s remember, though, that if God answers “no” or “wait,” it’s because He not only does amazing things for people, but in people and through people who learn to wait on Him.
How have you seen God answer “yes” to your prayers? Have you seen God working through difficulties or health struggles? How do you pray for those in crisis? Please share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” (below) to respond.
Stonecroft Staff Writer
These days, I find myself praying more frequently than ever for the Stonecroft staff and our families, and I hope you will, too. So many of us are affected by serious illness in our families.
I have to confess that when I pray for God’s help, either for myself or for someone I love, I want deliverance from trouble, not spiritual growth through trouble. I want the medical test results to be good. I want the difficulty to end. I want the pain to go away—now!
But often God’s answer—and He always answers—seems to be either “no” or “wait.”
Scripture has much to say about why God allows trials, but if He were to give us a simple, elementary-school-reading-level explanation, it might be something like this:
“In the sunshine, My children stride down the road of life.
“In evening shadows, My children raise a quick prayer, then cautiously step forward.
“But in torrential rain, My children pause beside the road and cry out to Me for help. And, though they may not know it, people who love them are calling out to Me on their behalf, too.
“As I hear these cries, I rush to gather My children in My arms. When they fix their eyes on Me, their fear gives way to trust, and their weakness becomes a showcase for My strength. If the storm lingers, their rain-soaked faces resemble the Savior’s a little more each day.”
Let’s pray for health and happiness, hoping the answer is “yes.” Let’s remember, though, that if God answers “no” or “wait,” it’s because He not only does amazing things for people, but in people and through people who learn to wait on Him.
How have you seen God answer “yes” to your prayers? Have you seen God working through difficulties or health struggles? How do you pray for those in crisis? Please share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” (below) to respond.
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