Thoughts and prayers: Somalia case

WORLD

Somalis Waste Away as Insurgents Block Escape From Famine

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN

Published: August 1, 2011

The Shabab Islamist insurgent group is imprisoning displaced and starving Somalis who were trying to escape Shabab territory.

---

This article is linked directly from the New York Times website. PLEASE, PLEASE spare some time and give the article a brief read to inform you (if you haven't already been so) of what is currently ongoing in our world today. No, we cannot go there and physically be present to witness this horrific phenomenon due to the extreme danger, to which we could all be vulnerable. I know there's nothing we can do at this point, as aid is pretty much impeded, thus rendered ineffective, but we could always remember to bring this issue and the people into our thoughts and prayers. Some of us may not bother and are too hard-pressed living their frantic lives, which is completely reasonable. But if I could ask each and every one of my blog reader to just burden yourself with this kind of deliberation in your everyday life, perhaps it would make a substantial bit of difference.

We, as Christians, believe in the power of prayer. Nothing is impossible with God. Nothing is impossible for those who believe. Right now I'm asking all of us to gather ourselves, join together in unity, and act upon our belief by praying for these people and their nation. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says, “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” I think this is fairly straightforward of what is clearly laid out in the bible. Should we refer to the notion of practicality: is this feasible? Yes. Simple enough? Very. Everything seems impossible, but we must remember that GOD MAKES THE IMPLAUSIBLE POSSIBLE. This is not about your erudition in sociopolitical affairs, nor is it a case of how much comprehension you have of global matters. It is plainly a question of whether or not you CARE. And I'm making a modest request to my blog readers to participate in this consideration.

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, please make some contribution by keeping them in your thoughts, raising awareness, and/or being knowledgeable – anything counts! This is the LEAST we could do to make a difference. When you pray, please do not forget to include Somalia and the people who are inflicted by this gruesome calamity.

Thank you for taking your time. It is greatly appreciated.

Love always,

Hazel

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." – William James