Nick Welsh, Shop Manager of The Iona Community Welcome Centre on the Isle of Iona, shares her monthly book recommendations. This month Nick is reflecting on what to do when prayer doesn’t work.
The world is in a mess. We pray for peace in Gaza, in Ukraine, in all the places around the world where conflict and destruction dominate. We pray for our leaders to stand up for what is right, rather than being chummy with dictators and bullies. We see people being arrested for peaceful protest. We see the climate being destroyed by leaders who show no care for the future. Many of us feel despondent and helpless and wonder what is the point of praying or acting when nothing seems to make a difference.
What do we do when prayer doesn’t work?
The story of the starfish-rescuing man which I quoted in July’s eCoracle is relevant here. Individually we can make small differences; collectively those differences can be massive. We are a Community rooted in hope. let us not lose that.
There is another story that makes me smile but also has a very important message. A man was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God to come and save him. A rowing boat appeared but the man on the roof shouted that he did not need rescuing as God was going to save him. The same thing happened with a motor boat and a helicopter. The waters rose and the man drowned. In heaven. the man asked God why God hadn’t saved him. The moral I think is clear. God does give us many different opportunities – sometimes clearly, sometimes indirectly – to act and make a difference,. We need to step up and use the tools God has given us to carry out God’s works, to stand up for justice and the rights of humankind and the planet.
My book recommendations this month suggest practical ways to recognize when God may be nudging us to action.
Book recommendations
- When Prayer Doesn’t Work by Margaret Somerville
Margaret invites us to rediscover prayer as a way of living, not as a formula to get prayer right.
- What We Need to Do Now: For a Carbon Zero Future by Chris Goodall
Chris outlines practical ways we can achieve a carbon neutral future.
- Journey Through the Storm, Lessons from Musalaha Ministry of Reconciliation, edited by Salim Munayer
This book unpacks practical experiences of building bridges, healing division and of following Christ in the context of the Palestine/Israel conflict. - I would also point you to a resource on our website: Ten Top Tips for helping the Palestinian people
If you would like further book recommendations, or have any recommendations for me, please feel free to email me at [email protected]
And remember it’s never too early to do some Christmas shopping, and support the Community at the same time.
USA North East