A prayer to know how to help by Christine Brown, read by Lea Martin, whoever is generous

to the poor, lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed, Proverbs 19, 17.

Like events, they happen halfway across the world, and also close to home.

Something like a hurricane or wildfire can affect thousands.

When we hear about these types of events, our inclination is to reach out and be the

hands and feet of Jesus by doing what we can to help those in need.

But there are also devastating personal circumstances that may only affect a few.

Every day, people we know could be blindsided by a catastrophic event of their own.

Our family, church friends, co-workers, neighbors.

In their world, the magnitude measures that of a tornado or tsunami.

Yet no one will see it on the news.

We long to do something to help.

But what?

How do we help someone going through the worst experience of their life?

When Jesus walked on this earth, he made clear our commission to help the poor.

Our church model today follows his example, with outreach programs that give food, clothing

and shelter to those in need.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed,

Proverbs 19, 17.

But Jesus also shared a valuable truth about who we're called to help, because some catastrophic

events leave us poor and basic necessities, like a home or food to eat, but others will

leave us poor and spirit.

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