Editors’ note: With this column, Kevin Wiebe concludes his service as a writer for “A Path to Peace.” His first column appeared in the January 2020 issue. Our many thanks to Kevin for pastorally sharing his thoughts with our readership for the past three-plus years. We’ve created a booklet compiling Kevin’s columns which can be downloaded here.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant onslaught of articles competing for our affections, our outrage and our hearts in general? There are times when we should disconnect from those things in order to better focus on serving the people right in front of us—yet we can’t just stick our heads in the sand forever. The question then is, what do we do when our hearts are moved by a situation so big and so complicated that we are powerless to act?

How, for instance, would one go about delivering an entire minority group from oppression on the other side of the world when those oppressing them are one of the dominant world powers? Even in such an overwhelming situation, we find a clue in the book of Exodus.

In Exodus 3:7–8, God says to Moses, “I have certainly seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them.”

The people of God, calling out to the Lord for deliverance from their oppression inspired the Lord to act. Moses was sent to represent God and deliver Israel from their slavery. While there is much conversation to be had around offering platitudes regarding “thoughts and prayers” as a way to dismiss people’s real needs, we also find the truth that we pray to a living God.

Our prayers are not useless. We pray to a God who loves humanity and who listens to our cries.

Our prayers are not useless. We pray to a God who loves humanity and who listens to our cries. We pray to a God who is not distant but who is present in each and every situation. I find this truth remarkably comforting when there are so many things on my mind over which I feel powerless.

If we want to do God’s work in the world, let us begin with the work of prayer, calling for the Lord to act. And maybe, just maybe, God might show us something we can do to help in some small way, and in those times we ought not to stay idle. As James 4:17 puts it, “It is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” When you are able, do not neglect the good you ought to do—but when you carry a burden in your heart for a given situation outside of your control, remember that your calls to the Lord are not meaningless.

A note from Kevin: it has been my privilege and honour to write as a columnist in The Messenger these past few years. While circumstances in life require me to step away from this work, I want to thank you for opening your minds and hearts to my musings. May each of us continue to walk with Jesus, the Prince of Peace, along this winding and unpredictable road of life.