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Environmental Missions Prayer Digest
September 2010 |
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Greetings!
In the face of merciless extreme weather patterns, natural disasters featured every day in the news, politically charged debate resulting in little to no action and statistics that stagger even the most suspicious soul how do we maintain hope? Admittedly the situation seems hopeless. Despairingly so. What can we do to gird up our faith and to protect it with truth and with expectant hope. Recently a friend reminded me of Psalm 145. Here David exalts the Most High God. He recites God's mighty acts and he proclaims God's power. He also speaks to the faithfulness and kindness of God.
"The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you....The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in every thing he does; he is filled with kindness....He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked." (Psalm 145:8-10,14-17,19-20 NLT)
If in our looking at the state of creation we loose hope, we need to remember the Creator. He still sustains what he made. He still holds it all together. His authority is sure and we can hope. Honestly my faith is stretched to believe that these days. But it is true! And with David, "I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever." (Psalm 145:21)
Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Robynn Bliss and I have the sweet privilege of being married to Lowell. We've been married for over 16 years. Together we've had quite the journey! I have a Canadian passport, I was raised in Pakistan, Lowell is American and we lived in South Asia for 13 years. We have three children: Connor, Adelaide and Bronwynn. From living on the banks of the mighty Ganges river we've now come to live in the Kansas Flint Hills ensconced on all sides by the Konza Prairie. I'm passionate about the Triune God, the dignified treatment of the poor, a good cup of coffee, writing, conversations of depth with good friends and seeing the Glory of God spread abroad in His creation. I'm the new editor of the Environmental Missions Prayer Digest.
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Sustainable Energy Sources Developed in Afghanistan!
We recently happened upon a fascinating story from Afghanistan where 80% live in under developed rural areas. An NGO has partnered with local engineers, local communities and the government to develop both water and wind powered electricity that is bringing life changing electric power to whole villages in that war torn region. Lights, TVs, chargers for mobile phones all serve to empower people. They can be exposed to the outside world and to new ways of thinking. Click on the link below to access the whole story.
Ways we can be praying:
- Pray for protection for the engineers. Pray they remain healthy and strong. Pray for creativity to solve unforeseen problems in design and in community dynamics.
- Pray for camaraderie for these engineers as they work together. Pray they find joy in their working relationships. Pray for good conversations about significant truth.
- Pray for Peace in the region.
- Pray for God to use an expanded world view in local people to force them to ask deeper questions. Pray a culturally relevant and sensitive gospel would penetrate through TV, radio, text messaging, or the Internet.
Links:Renewable Energy --Afghanistan
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Please continue to Pray for Pakistan in the Aftermath of the Flood
As the floods continue to make their way south, lakes, rivers and canals are over flowing their banks. Lake Manchar, Pakistan's largest fresh water lake in Sindh province is inches from the top. If it spills over its banks surrounding towns will be adversely affected. The towns of Bhon and Jhingira with combined populations of over 250,000 would be some of the first to be inundated. September 13, 2010 the Dawn newspaper ( a national paper in Pakistan) reported the following:
"The floods are Pakistan's worst-ever natural disaster in terms of
damage, with more than six million people forced from their home and 20
million people affected.
The calamity has killed more than 1,750 people, and aid agencies have
warned that millions more are still at risk of death if emergency food
and shelter are not provided.
The government estimates losses at $43 billion and says the gross
domestic product could be around 2.5 percent, from the original target
of 4.5 percent for the 2010/11 (July-June) fiscal year." - Reuters
Let's persevere in praying:
- that God will be merciful!
- that pregnant and nursing women would receive the nutrition to adequately provide for their babies.
- that the river banks and canal walls in the Sindh will be miraculously strengthened.
- that people will be generous in their giving to international fund-raising efforts.
- that local Christians will raise up in the name of Christ and show love to their neighbours.
- for Christar, IMB, SIM, Team, and other agencies who continue to grapple with the complex details of relief work.
Photos: Reuters/The Dawn newspaper
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We here at Eden Vigil are deeply committed to prayer! With burdens on our heart for the creation, doesn't it make sense we would turn to the Creator? Join us in lifting these concerns to God who cares for the displaced flood victim and the hungry refugee in Pakistan as well as for the villager living in darkness in Afghanistan.
What should we pray for next month?
We are always asking that question of God, not only because we need to publish a new prayer digest next month, but because we want to be praying for that ministry, people group, or issue where God Himself is ready to act. If you would like to suggest a prayer focus, please contact us.
God bless you,
Robynn Bliss
Eden Vigil
Links: Contact the editors, Eden Vigil website, Donations to Eden Vigil
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