Below are 180 of the 279 girls abducted in Nigeria. When terrible events like this happen, it is tempting to conceptualize the evil acts committed. We sometimes forget that a new and dreadful reality has been created for each person involved. They do not have the privilege of seeing the story on yahoo news, frowning in concern, and then moving on to check emails. For them, this is life now.
However, what can we really do? We are thousands of miles away and posess probably little to no knowledge of how to track down sex traffickers. Few of us have the cash to buy plane tickets to Nigeria. Somehow, posting about it on Twitter doesn't accomplish our mission either.
Then what are we to do when we recall that we also long to fly to South Korea to comfort the families of the boat wreck victims? Oh, and the earthquake in South America, and the orphans in Russia?
Suddenly, we are overwhelmed. We are physically incapable of personally tending to the needs of each person affected by tragedy and injustice.
Would it be best to push all this pain from our minds since we cannot do anything about it?
Perhaps it is not yet time to despair.
When I say that the best course of action is to pray for all these hurting souls, some people may roll their eyes. They wonder how our sweet little thoughts can possibly impact the lives of people we do not even know. Here, faith becomes most necessary. We may never see the effects of our prayers for others. But our prayers do not just swirl around our own heads. They go somewhere. Not only that, but God has solemnly promised us that every prayer will be held within His heart.
Some might wonder why we have to do the work of praying for others. Why does God not come down here and wipe away suffering? There is a longer answer I plan to discuss later, but the short answer is that the act of prayer allows us to participate in God's work of salvation. God asks tiny little you and me to empty ourselves and be a part of His loving plan. In prayer, we hand over our selfishness, our control, our fears. Certainly, such acts cannot but help make the world a better place.
Each of us. I ask you to take a moment to say a prayer for these girls. If that is too much, just pray for one. She matters to someone. Thank you.
Deborah Abge, Awa Abge, Hauwa Yirma, Asabe Manu, Mwa Malam Pogu, Patiant Dzakwa, Saraya Mal Stover, Mary Dauda, Gloria Mainta, Hanatu Ishaku Gloria Dama, Tabitha Pogu, Maifa Dama, Ruth Kollo, Esther Usman, Awa James, Anthonia Yahonna, Kume Mutah, Aisha Ezekial, Nguba Buba, Kwanta Simon, Kummai Aboku, Esther Markus, Hana Stephen, Rifkatu Amos, Rebecca Mallum, Blessing Abana, Ladi Wadai, Tabitha Hyelampa, Ruth Ngladar, Safiya Abdu, Na’omi Yahonna, Solomi Titus, Rhoda John, Rebecca Kabu, Christy Yahi, Rebecca Luka, Laraba John, Saratu Markus, Mary Usman, Debora Yahonna, Naomi Zakaria, Hanatu Musa, Hauwa Tella, Juliana Yakubu, Suzana Yakubu, Saraya Paul, Jummai Paul, Mary Sule, Jummai John, Yanke Shittima, Muli Waligam, Fatima Tabji, Eli Joseph, Saratu Emmanuel, Deborah Peter, Rahila Bitrus, Luggwa Sanda, Kauna Lalai, Lydia Emmar, Laraba Maman, Hauwa Isuwa, Confort Habila, Hauwa Abdu, Hauwa Balti, Yana Joshua, Laraba Paul, Saraya Amos, Glory Yaga, Na’omi Bitrus, Godiya Bitrus, Awa Bitrus, Na’omi Luka, Maryamu Lawan, Tabitha Silas, Mary Yahona, Ladi Joel, Rejoice Sanki, Luggwa Samuel, Comfort Amos, Saraya Samuel, Sicker Abdul, Talata Daniel.
Rejoice Musa, Deborah Abari, Salomi Pogu, Mary Amor, Ruth Joshua, Esther John, Esther Ayuba, Maryamu Yakubu, Zara Ishaku, Maryamu Wavi, Lydia Habila, Laraba Yahonna, Na’omi Bitrus, Rahila Yahanna, Ruth Lawan, Ladi Paul, Mary Paul, Esther Joshua, Helen Musa, Margret Watsai, Deborah Jafaru, Filo Dauda, Febi Haruna, Ruth Ishaku, Racheal Nkeki, Rifkatu Soloman, Mairama Yahaya, Saratu Dauda, Jinkai Yama, Margret Shettima, Yana Yidau, Grace Paul, Amina Ali, Palmata Musa, Awagana Musa, Pindar Nuhu, Yana Pogu, Saraya Musa, Hauwa Joseph, Hauwa Kwakwi, Hauwa Musa, Maryamu Musa, Maimuna Usman, Rebeca Joseph, Liyatu Habitu, Rifkatu Yakubu, Naomi Philimon, Deborah Abbas, Ladi Ibrahim, Asabe Ali, Maryamu Bulama, Ruth Amos, Mary Ali, Abigail Bukar, Deborah Amos, Saraya Yanga, Kauna Luka, Christiana Bitrus, Yana Bukar, Hauwa Peter, Hadiza Yakubu, Lydia Simon, Ruth Bitrus, Mary Yakubu, Lugwa Mutah, Muwa Daniel, Hanatu Nuhu, Monica Enoch, Margret Yama, Docas Yakubu, Rhoda Peter, Rifkatu Galang, Saratu Ayuba, Naomi Adamu, Hauwa Ishaya, Rahap Ibrahim, Deborah Soloman, Hauwa Mutah, Hauwa Takai, Serah Samuel, Aishatu Musa, Aishatu Grema, Hauwa Nkeki, Hamsatu Abubakar, Mairama Abubakar, Hauwa Wule, Ihyi Abdu, Hasana Adamu, Rakiya Kwamtah, Halima Gamba, Aisha Lawan, Kabu Malla, Yayi Abana, Falta Lawan, and Kwadugu Manu."Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows." Matt 10:29-30
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