Strong in the Lord

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.“ 1 John 4:4

I woke up early on Monday morning, around 3 AM. I still had a couple of hours before my alarm was supposed to sound, but I was already wide awake. This happens to me in Haiti on occasion – I’ll awaken in the middle of the night, almost as if I’ve heard a loud noise. And maybe it’s possible that some loud noise in the street caused me to wake up, but I don’t think that’s really the reason. I’ve come to believe that I wake in the middle of the night like that due to the Holy Spirit stirring in me, placing something urgent on my heart to start praying for. So, as I started getting ready for my day, I started praying for peace in Haiti.

Since 2018, instability has been on the rise in Haiti. First, it took the form of protesting and demonstrations. Then in 2020, we started hearing whispered rumors of kidnappings for ransom starting. Then, in the summer of 2021, Jovenel Moise, Haiti’s president, was assassinated in his home. Following his assassination, kidnappings and gang violence sky rocketed in the country. Whole sections of cities are under the control of gangs, paralyzing movement and daily functions, making the normal daily routines, such as going to church or school, a calculated risk in certain areas. So… when I woke up on Monday morning prompted to pray for peace in Haiti, I didn’t question it. I knew I had lots to pray for.

What I would learn later that morning from friends and staff is that the gang causing the majority of the problems in the street had continued an assault on another gang that they had begun the week before. Throughout the day, this would go on to cause whole neighborhoods and communities to flee their homes, and many lives innocent lives have been lost. So much destruction. So much loss. And again, so much fear creeping into our hearts.

I didn’t stop praying all day on Monday. In fact, I’m still praying… for His peace, for His justice, for His healing.

But the truth is, friends, I’m tired. We’re all tired. This is another senselessly violent act piled on top of what feels like a mountain of other senselessly violent acts. And as I watch the videos of crowds of people fleeing their homes, as I hear the shock and sadness in the voices of my own friends who have been forced out of their communities, my heart begins to sink.

Today, I spoke with a friend who has been directly affected by this gang’s attack. We shared our sorrow and disbelief over what is happening here right now, and then He shared a great encouragement with me.

“Sometimes I look at what’s happening and think ‘God, what’s going on here? Why does the enemy have so much power?’ But then I remember that God is stronger than our enemy. He already has written down everything the enemy can do. The enemy has his limits. But God doesn’t have any. That’s why I know that He can still change this.”

The enemy has his limits, written and enforced by God himself. The same God who put death in its place… Hallelujah, and amen.

I feel weary and sad right now, in a country full of people who feel weary and sad. But oh how thankful I am that I was reminded of the power of my Jesus today, and how amazing it is to know that same power is available to me.

Greater is He that is in me than the one who is in the world. It is with this power, I ask you to intercede with me on behalf of the country of Haiti.

Mighty Father, You have the final word, the final say, in all things. You are stronger than the grave, You are stronger than death itself, and You are stronger than the evil before us right now. We thank You for freely giving us access to this power. Lord, it is in Your powerful name that I ask for immediate peace to reign down in Haiti. I pray this peace over every community in the midst of the violence. I pray this peace over the angry and violent individuals causing the problems. I ask that truth is brought to the light regarding the people in charge, so that this may end for good, and so that Haiti can move forward in Your peace and power. Amen.