I have found that I cannot remain indifferent when confronted with distressing news in my community and the wider world. Reports of deceptive practices, authoritarianism, and violence seem pervasive and need everyone’s prayers. We may think we are powerless to do anything about them, though. Sometimes I’ve asked myself, “Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?” (Psalms 78:19). In other words, is God capable of helping us? Can I really pray about this and have faith that my prayers will forward a solution?

Many years ago, my eyes were opened to the fact that we can answer yes, with certainty and joy. I had heard distressing news in my community that presented a dark picture of disruption and lawlessness. Incidents of vandalism were reported, and graffiti was found on the walls of educational and government institutions. Everything pointed to young people in the region who were dissatisfied with the mayor’s office and rebelling against what they felt were violations of government policies guaranteeing quality education and food for children with scarce resources, as well as job opportunities for young people. 

As I prayed, the spiritual insights that came to me illumined my thought and instantly made my sadness cease. I felt assured that everything is and will be well because God, good, does not change. He is the same eternal and infinite divine Love, the omnipresent and only power, yesterday and today. God created man in His image and likeness, and man expresses God.