Cyclone Idai and Christian Compassion

 

When the rains come down,
and the winds circle around,
it can be cause for joy,
God of all creation.
But, when the winds are so high,
that they rip roofs off of homes,
and the water pours down in torrents,
there is no joy,
only loss
and death.

We pray for those killed
when Cyclone Idai battered
Mozambique, Malawi & Zimbabwe.
We pray the survivors,
clinging to trees and high places,
away from the high waters,
waiting for rescue.

We pray for those who are doing
all that they can,
with the resources they have,
to save as many as they can,
knowing that they need more,
to help more.

We pray for those grieving,
the deaths of those they love and
the loss of livelihood and home.
May help come, and may it come quickly—
that safety would be found,
and rebuilding would begin.

We pray, loving God,
that we might respond,
with all that we have, and who we are,
out of our security and our abundance,
to be a world that helps,
now,
and in the days to come.

We pray for Mozambique,
We pray for Zimbabwe,
We pray for Malawi
their people,
their land,
their life.
Amen

A prayer in response to Cyclone Idai

 by the Right Rev. Richard Bott, United Church Moderator

On Sunday morning our minister, who also happens to be our son Isaac, encouraged the congregation to respond to the crisis in Mozambique with financial support. Cyclone Idai has devastated Mozambique, which is one of the poorest countries of the planet, along with inundating other east African nations. Hundreds died in the storms and flooding but the threat of disease could kill even more, and all infrastructure has been destroyed in some areas.

Isaac invited folk to pick up a sheet with information about how to respond, including prayer, and I thought of how many times I did the same over my decades in ministry. Responding to situations of crisis is something which the United Church does well, and considers it part of Christ's call to "love our neighbour as ourselves."

Now that I'm in the pew rather than the pulpit I was even more aware that amongst the many reasons to be part of a community of faith is the encouragement to compassion in ways that we might not be so inclined to do otherwise. Sitting in front of a television screen watching news of a disaster in a region we could struggle to find on a map is a passive exercise which might touch our hearts but not necessarily move us to action. Our denomination believes in "right thinking and right acting" and it's one of the reasons I hang in there with my involvement. 

How about you? What motivates you to respond to situations where practical compassion matters? Do you find that being part of a congregation is an impetus for action? 

 Donate Now

Online via our secure donation page.

Phone 416-231-5931 or toll-free 1-800-268-3781 ext. 2738 and use your Visa or MasterCard.

Send a cheque, money order, or Visa or MasterCard information with donation amount to:

The United Church of Canada
Philanthropy Unit - Emergency Response
3250 Bloor Street West, Suite 200
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4

Please be sure to note "Emergency Response—Cyclone Idai" on the face of your cheque.