Top 5 Prayer Needs for Haiti

A friend of mine leads a large young adult gathering in Charlotte that is doing amazing things for that city. Tonight close to a thousand of them will unite together in prayer for Haiti. He asked me what I thought were the top 5 prayers needs. Here is my shot at it. Please add yours in the comments:

1. RESCUE: Pray for those who still need to be rescued. Some are buried and others are near death due to major injury, lack of food, water, medical care.
2. RELIEF-WORKERS: Pray for those from all around the world who have gone to Haiti to help in the rescue and recovery efforts. Safety, wisdom, energy.
3. HAITIAN CHURCH: Pray for the church in Haiti, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and their role in rebuilding their country.
4. PROTECTION: Pray for God’s protection in the days to come as looting and violence becomes common due to the circumstances.
5. ORPHANS: Pray for all the children that just lost one or both parents. Pray for the orphanages. Many of their buildings are devastated and they lack essential resources.

Modern Paraphrase of Matthew 25

This broke my heart from the Livesay Haiti blog.

“For I was hungry, while you had all you needed. I was thirsty, but you drank BOTTLED water. I was a stranger, and you wanted me DEPORTED. I needed clothes, but you needed MORE clothes. I was sick, and you pointed out the BEHAVIORS that led to my sickness. I was in prison, and you said I was getting what I DESERVED.” – Richard Stearns, The Hole in Our Gospel

From left to right: Dieuvlet, Peterly, Jonny, Gilderson

(These four boys are all living in the RHFH Rescue Center, receiving Medika Mamba, and trying to gain weight and recover).

Haiti Photos

My wife and I have a special place in our heart for the children of Haiti. While our oldest two adopted children were not born there they were born to Haitian immigrants living in the States and spoke Creole in their home. The needs in this country are staggering and I am thankful for folks like Aaron+Jaime, Steve+Maris, the Livesays that continually raise awareness to them.

I posted awhile back that it would be good for my soul to watch a video or look at photos each day from another part of the world to remind myself that this world is fallen and full of need. It is also a reminder that God is redeeming this world and has called us to be His hands and feet in bringing healing and hope to the nations.

Here are some photos of Haitian children by Debra Parker (visit her site if you would like to purchase any of the prints below)

Let them move your soul.

HAITI URGENTLY NEEDS OUR HELP!

On my way to Panera this afternoon I listened to a reporter in Haiti describe the devastation that the hurricanes have caused. The death toll is climbing and many of those are young children who were swept away along with their homes from the flooding.

Right now I am thinking and praying for the many families that are adopting children from Haiti. Many of these families have just returned from seeing their children this past summer and I know of a few who are hoping to travel in the next few months. Join me in praying for them!

Most of all, pray for the country, the people, the children, the orphans, and the church in Haiti. Pray for God’s mercy!

You can read the latest from the New York Times on the situation in Haiti here.

Steven Bush also shares some ways to help through the ministry Real Hope for Haiti.

Slavery in Haiti

John Piper and Doug Nichols comment on the issue of child slavery in Haiti. Read here.

(HT: DG Blog)