We do not need to go far to see a devastating impact of disaster as described in chapter 1 of Joel. If there was any supply left after the invasion of great locusts, then the young locusts and other locusts would come (Joel 1:4) and the land became bare and wasted.
The university town of Lismore, with a population of over 40,000, is a central hub for the Northern Rivers region of NSW. The city suffered from serious floods and inundation first on February 28 and then on March 30. The hope of rebuilding the town was hit hard by the second flood. In the minds of many locals, the choice is either rebuild or relocate.
The leaders of the Southern Cross Presbyterian Church (SCPC) in Lismore called for prayers and quiet reflections in the face of challenges. That is exactly what Joel asked leaders and God’s people to do at the time of loss, grief and despair. The leaders at SCPC knew that only a community of faith thriving in the Lord can be a beacon of hope for the Lismore community.
Pastor Stew of SCPC came to Sydney with a young leader and shared their needs with some of our leaders at CPC in late March. Would SCPC be able to provide pastoral care and affirm God’s love for the Lismore community despite a big drop in their offertory? Praise the Lord that many of us at CPC share their vision and have responded generously. Indeed, their actions of praying, seeking before the Lord, and focusing on the wider community are a great example for us.
At CPC, there has been increasing number of infections among our members and it brings isolation and limitation. And there have been constant changes and uncertainty to cope with. Let’s learn from our brothers and sisters at SCPC and extend our care not only to members at CPC and our relatives but also our local community, the new migrant families and students from Hong Kong who have gone through unrest and political changes in recent years.
“Let us pray to the Lord,
who is our refuge and stronghold.
For the health and well-being of our nation,
that all who are fearful and anxious
may be at peace and free from worry:
For the isolated and housebound,
that we may be alert to their needs,
and care for them in their vulnerability:
For our homes and families,
our schools and young people,
and all in any kind of need or distress:
For a blessing on our local community,
that our neighborhoods may be places of trust and friendship,
where all are known and cared for”
Lord, “We are not people of fear:
we are people of courage.
We are not people who protect our own safety:
we are people who protect our neighbours’ safety.
We are not people of greed:
we are people of generosity.
We are your people God,
giving and loving,
wherever we are,
whatever it costs
For as long as it takes
wherever you call us.”
Prayers are extracted from https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources
我們無需走遠，便可以看見災難帶來毀滅性的影響，正如第一章所看到的。假如蝗蟲侵食後還有剩下的，蝻子和螞蚱會來吃 (珥1:4)，土地變成荒蕪和被糟蹋。
大學城鎮Lismore有超過四萬的人口，是新州北面河流區的中樞。這座城市遭受了嚴重的洪水，最先的淹沒是在二月28日，然後是三月30日。第二次的水災讓重建的希望被嚴重打擊。在很多當地居民來說，選擇只是重建或搬遷。
在面對挑戰下，Lismore南十字星長老會(SCPC)的領袖呼籲大家安靜默想及祈禱。這也正是約珥先知召喚領袖和神的子民在失落、哀傷和絕望時所作的事。南十字星的領袖知道只有一個能在神裡蓬勃成長的信仰群體才可在Lismore社區中帶來盼望。
南十字星長老會的牧者Stew與一位年青領袖三月底來到我們教會與一些領袖分享他們的需要。南十字星能否在教會奉獻急劇下跌中繼續提供牧養及給于Lismore社區傳遞神的愛？感謝神，在華人長老會中，很多眾多肢體對他們的異象有感動和願意慷慨地回應。他們籍著禱告、尋求神心意和著眼於整體社區的需要真是值得我們學習的。
在我們華人長老會當中，多了會眾受感染，以致帶來隔離和限制。而且要面對不斷的改變和不確定。讓我們從南十字星的弟兄姊妹身上學習，不單關心教會內的會友和我們的親屬，也關心我們所居住的社區，並且在過去幾年經歷著不穩定及政治變革，從香港來澳的新移民家庭和學生。
『讓我們向神祈禱，
祂是我們的避難所及堡壘。
為我們國家人民的健康和福祉，
一切在驚慌、焦慮中的禱告，
讓他們得享平安和免受擔憂；
為受隔離和不能外出的禱告，
讓我們對他們的需要能敏銳，
在他們軟弱無助時關懷他們；
為我們的家、家人、學校及年青一代，
以及所有在各種需要或悲痛中的人禱告；
祈求恩慈臨到我們的社區，
讓我們的鄰舍能互相信任和建立友誼，
所有人都被尊重和照顧。』
主啊！『我們不是膽怯的，
而是剛強的一群。
我們不是只保障自己的安全，
而是為著鄰舍的平安的一群。
我們不是貪婪的，
而是慷慨的一群。
我們是神袮的子民，
我們無論往那裡去，
付出多少，
日子多長，
無論袮呼召我們去那兒，
都願意施于和愛護。』
禱文從以下網址節錄：
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-churches/coronavirus-covid-19-liturgy-and-prayer-resources
