Right now, the attention of the globe is on Haiti, and rightfully so!  The devastation there is immense, and overwhelming.  If you don’t know much, rather than recount the details, you can look here:  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CB_HAITI_EARTHQUAKE?SITE=ILMOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

One thing that’s been very interesting, and wonderful, is the amount of attention being given to both PRAYING and HELPING the people of Haiti in this time.  Usually, when crisis hits, human compassion arises, and many rush to help.  This is wonderful.  But, I’m struck with how many people/organizations responded immediately by calling the world to PRAYER on behalf of Haiti!  I think this is SO good!  Haiti should be a target for prayer!  I couldn’t help but think – Haiti needed prayer BEFORE the earthquake hit!  Of course, every nation needs prayer, but Haiti has long been in a desperate situation.  The depths of poverty and corruption that hold that nation in a vice-grip are hard to fathom.  Unfortunately, they’ve long been forgotten on the international landscape, as more “important” things, and our comfortable American lives, keep us from seeing this “insignificant” island nation.

The circumstances in Haiti are dire, but in mercy, God is raising up the world to intercede for these once-forgotten people!  I have a question:  Would the world be praying for Haiti, if there wasn’t this urgent crisis??  Sadly, probably not. 

The most horrific part of this whole thing is this:  Many souls have been lost in this tragedy.  Current estimates state that a staggering 200,000 are now dead – more than the entire population of the Lansing/East Lansing area (where I live)!  I can’t even imagine what that looks like!  These 200,000 souls have entered into their eternal destination, and for the majority of them, it wasn’t Heaven!!  This is the most terrifying result of this calamity!!

However, the blunt truth is this: these people were headed for hell, regardless of how soon death knocked on their door.  It is the urgency of the current situation that has drawn the compassion and prayers of the world.  And, oh how it is needed!  Sometimes it takes a shaking (literal or figurative) to get our attention, and give us the sense of urgency that is needed.

Zoom out from Haiti for a moment.  Perhaps the situation we live in is more urgent than we realize?  Do we need a “shaking” to come to us?  Oh, that the Lord would reveal the truth of our reality —  without a tragedy!

Did you know that every day 150.000  people on earth enter their eternal destiny?  Every year in America over 2,000,000 meet their mortal end.  And once again, for the majority of them, the end is not Heaven.  This is staggering!  THIS is urgent!  Jesus has provided the means, by His blood, for ALL to be saved! 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

I don’t know about you, but THIS stirs me to pray!  While we live our lives day in and day out, there IS an urgency that demands us to respond – the lost, dying souls of hundreds of thousands, each individual as precious to God as our most beloved.  We need a sense of urgency before the crises hit!  Lord, share Your heart with us! 

Zooming back in on Haiti —  it is God’s desire for the people of that land to be redeemed.  It’s His passion to bring beauty out of the ashes of this earthquake rubble.  His heart longs zealously that Light would invade the darkest places of that island.  We can join Him in this!  We can intercede.  We can contend that Haiti’s righteousness would shine like the noonday sun.  The Father wants to turn this whole thing around, from sorrow to joy.  He desires to bring such a change that Praise would arise to Him from Haiti.

    I was impressed as I read Psalm 67 last week that I should pray it for Haiti, and I would encourage you to do the same.  Pray it also for the U.S. and every nation on the globe – that praise would arise in every nation, as people come to the saving knowledge of Christ.  It is imperative that they know Him before their final hour!  Oh, Jesus, reveal Yourself, and LET PRAISE ARISE! 

Psalm 67

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make His face shine upon us,

 2 that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations.

 3 May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You.

 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the peoples justly  and guide the nations of the earth.

 5 May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

 6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.

 7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.

Let Praise Arise in Haiti!