Words of Light and Hope from Helena Crockford, LLM

Words of Light and Hope

from Helena Crockford

 

The shock and sudden tragedy which has afflicted so many people in Turkey and Syria is overwhelming in its scale.

 

In 1 Kings 19.11-13, the prophet Elijah faced an earthquake. He found God was in the a gentle whisper “the still small voice”:

 

“The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him,

“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

How can we act? We can donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee or Christian Aid. And we can pray. Tearfund suggests using this practice of prayer to help us to pray for people who are injured, for those who have lost people dear to them, homes and livelihoods; for all those involved in rescue, care and aid.

“Find a still, silent place.

Become aware of God’s presence.

Read Matthew 11:28-30 a few times over to become familiar with it:

‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’

Read the words again.

This time, notice a word or phrase that catches your attention.

Meditate on this.

Ask God to reveal why he chose to highlight this word or phrase.

Ask God what it means for people hit by the earthquake.

Let the Holy Spirit guide you, to pray for them.

Do not rush away – rest in God’s presence.

End by thanking God for working in and through you.”

 

Father, we commend to your faithful love those who are crying from the depths; help them to watch and pray through their time of darkness, in sure hope of the dawn of your forgiveness and redemption; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen