Why?

Date: 12 March 2011 07:49:12

Reading the bible, particularly the Old Testament, I have been struck with questions about God and the nature of God in terms of things he "let happen". One of the ways I came to dealing with it was by realising that these were a people without science seeking to understand awful "natural" disasters.

This morning I am left, again, searching for my own explanations about how God can have allowed the devistation we have seen in Japan, New Zealand and elsewhere to occur. Explanations about it being part of "the fall" aren't enough. In the New Testament I have read how these types of event are a required precursor for the end of the world, and a better time. Yet, in the here and now many are dead, homeless or going through great suffering and the only person I can think to blame is the person who designed the earth which is quaking. This is not an unfortunate side effect of God's plan...it's a huge disaster which is difficult. I am left asking why God?

That why is a huge part of prayer, yet it is the same God I want to scream at who I am left wanting to rely on to somehow help people through this awful disaster in which ever country they are in which has been impacted by the shifting plates beneath the earth.

So I leave you with a prayer to this God who I really don't like much this morning and certainly don't understand:

Dear God,

Today it is difficult to come to you in prayer

I know you are an awesome creator

And that's why I want to blame you

And scream why?????

I know I should be giving you praise and thanksgiving

And yes Lord I thank you that it is not me today having to deal with it

I thank you that I live somewhere "safe"

I pray for all those around the globe who are suffering

I pray especially for those who are suffering as a result of the earthquakes

I pray for the homeless and scared, heal their dreams Lord

I pray for the injured and trapped, keep them safe and heal them

And be with those rescuing them and caring for them

I pray for the bereaved

Be with them in their time of loss

I pray for the authorities in those areas

Give them wisdom and peace Lord

Be with the other areas of the world too Lord

Where upheaval is taking place

Where we can see why

And understand the clash that is taking place between hope and hopelessness

Be with the new governments which are being established we pray

And with those in the impacted countries

Lord for the economic upheaval we are facing at the moment

We pray forgiveness when much of that suffering

Comes from our desire to have more stuff

And have it now and pay later

Oh Lord, there is so much which is messed up in the world

I don't and can't understand

Help me to hold these feelings

Of anger and confusion towards you

In tension with my faith

Amen

(As I prayed this I used I to indicate my personal confusion, but as I guess many may be feeling the same "us" could very well be substitued).