Noble, right, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy; these traits, exhorted by the bible writer of Philippians for us to focus upon in times of trial, come to mind as I watch the world’s response to the tragedy confronting the people of Haiti. 

How wonderful and how right this response has been in the midst of the loss of most of that country’s infrastructure.   The United States has a “Convoy of Hope” in place, American families are adopting orphans and the movie and music industries are preparing telethons and fundraising concerts including, “Real Hope for Haiti Now”.  Through the efforts of battle hardened reporters who rarely lose their composure amid overwhelming tragedy and suffering, I hear in their halting voices the unspeakable pain of what they are witnessing and have sensed an inexplicable thanks and joy from the Haitian people as help has arrived from all corners of the earth.  Film stars, famous athletes and politicians have made their way to Haiti to be of assistance while countless schools, churches, corporations and community organizations are coming together to relieve the unimaginable horror and suffering of that country. 

However admirable, excellent and praiseworthy these efforts are, there remains a tragedy in this country the importance of which few recognize or realize. The ultimate tragedy of those who have finally been sustained with food, clothing and shelter is later they will have nowhere to turn for hope and nowhere for their hearts to find a home.

While convoys and concerts give earthly hope, I believe the best we can give is hope through Jesus Christ.  Haiti has long been a place where its people are seeking a spiritual connection.  That connection has found its place in a mix of Catholicism and voodoo. Both are the official state religions of Haiti.  Eight in ten Haitians are Catholic but many secretly practice some form of voodoo as well.    

Last week FOX news reporter Amy Kellogg produced a segment on voodoo in Haiti following the first major earthquake.  In her interview with a voodoo “priest”, she asks what comfort his followers were receiving from voodoo in the aftermath of the earthquake that took so many lives and homes in Port au Prince and its environs.  This was his response:  “Right now, even a priest like myself would not dare call a spirit while nature is reacting to the moment and the cosmos is in such disarray. Maybe all that will come later…”

God forbid!   Let us hope and pray the firm foundations of faith, hope and love laid before the earthquake by the many and devoted Christian workers in Haiti will be the spiritual foundations upon which the people rebuild their lives. 

The Bible, in the New Testament letter to the Ephesians, warns us there is an ongoing spiritual battle for the souls of men.  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  I believe that battle is raging in Haiti where the armies of heaven and hell are engaged in mortal combat and every believer in Jesus Christ has a crucial part to play in the outcome of that battle.

We may not be able to offer monetary help or have the resources necessary to travel to Haiti and lend a hand but, in our own homes, we can fold our hands in prayer and blanket that island with a covering of protection against the forces of evil.  Our part is to storm heaven with prayer.  We can provide a tremendous prayer base of support for the Christians already there by asking God to send all the assets of heaven to help them.

Just as there is a physical hierarchy of need in food, clothing and shelter, there is also a spiritual hierarchy of need in faith, hope and love established in the power and authority of Jesus Christ.  Each of us must pray!  Pray hard!  This is what Haiti needs most.