Labor Day has come and gone marking the end of summer
and there is a shifting in the wind. The Dow Jones, a business financial information news system that delivers
breaking news and exclusive insights as to what is going on in the financial
market just reported yesterday that the industrial average plunged nearly 240
points. Because of this U.S. stocks took a nose dive. Springmeyer and other
financial experts claim that the issues stem from uncertainty surrounding China
and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s pending rate hike decision due out next week. Additionally, UMCORE (United Methodist Committees
on relief) details, “A recent news report that
more than 16,000 migrants have streamed into Austria since the weekend and more
than 17,500 people were received in Munich, Germany, alone. According to the
United Nations Refugee Agency estimates, more than 366,000 refugees and migrants
have crossed the Mediterranean Sea to Europe this year and at least 2,800 have
died or disappeared during the journey.
All
of this has caused some people to fear the worst, and people are crying doom
and gloom for the world, especially America. The economic unrest has confirmed that
there is a shifting taking place. However, the shifting is not because of doom
or gloom, but because God is moving us from one position to another. According
to Doug Addison, we as believers must “Get ready to be
stretched as God is doing things that are outside of our comfort zone. We are
being challenged right now to move into new levels of understanding. A new wave of revelation
is being released that will help us progress into more effectiveness.
… God
is calling some people to relinquish things that are no longer being used so
that others can benefit from them and freely give to others the things that you
are no longer using. This might be in the form of money, equipment, investments, businesses,
people or buildings. Therefore we are now in entering a time
like never before that we need to pass along Kingdom resources.”
This is also a time to pray for those who find
themselves displaced due to moving from the violence in their homelands. Let us pray with Rev. Jack Amick, head of International Disaster Response for UMCOR, the
United Methodist Committee on Relief, as he offers a prayer of action and
solidarity for those fleeing conflict and migrating to Europe and other parts
of the world.
“Prayer for a New Vision
God of Shalom,
Grant us hearts that cry like yours
At the sight of dead boys on beaches,
Packed train cars,
And long lines of families on the move.
We confess that we have seen these images for centuries.
Grant us, this time, the wisdom to act in a way that turns history upside down.
And brings your shalom on earth as it is in heaven.
Grant us arms that welcome the stranger;
Grant us hands that feed the hungry;
Grant us feet that walk with those whose feet search
For a new home, a new job, a new life.
Help us understand how bad things must have been,
And how much vision these survivors must have had
To make this terrible trek.
Grant us the vision to see what they see:
Your shalom where there is no more violence,
Where life is full and abundant for all,
Where no one is hungry,
And everyone is welcome at the feast.”
Amen.
God of Shalom,
Grant us hearts that cry like yours
At the sight of dead boys on beaches,
Packed train cars,
And long lines of families on the move.
We confess that we have seen these images for centuries.
Grant us, this time, the wisdom to act in a way that turns history upside down.
And brings your shalom on earth as it is in heaven.
Grant us arms that welcome the stranger;
Grant us hands that feed the hungry;
Grant us feet that walk with those whose feet search
For a new home, a new job, a new life.
Help us understand how bad things must have been,
And how much vision these survivors must have had
To make this terrible trek.
Grant us the vision to see what they see:
Your shalom where there is no more violence,
Where life is full and abundant for all,
Where no one is hungry,
And everyone is welcome at the feast.”
Amen.
Jacqueline
