our forgotten prayers

The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.


World AIDS Day was observed this week.

To “observe” this event, I reflected on my earliest memories of AIDS. In NY in the early ‘80s, people would curse you out saying “Get AIDS Mother F******”. In 1993 I remember being on vacation with my family in Rehoboth Beach Delaware feeling a bit cautious because some of the men swimmers in our pool had lesions – I think that was around the time the movie Philadelphia was in the theatres.

And at some point in time, people just stopped talking about AIDS. With increased awareness and advances in treatment, the number of AIDS cases and deaths in the US declined sharply in the late 1990s. It was no longer in the news. The movie of the week moved onto new topics. You could say that I forgot about AIDS. I certainly can’t remember the last time I prayed about anyone impacted by this disease.

But here are some startling facts in 2009: Two-thirds of all peoples living with HIV are in Africa. More than 14 million African children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. My friends Rich and Heidi just came back from Nairobi where it is impossible to walk outside of the shadow of AIDS.

How could I ever forget to pray about those affected by AIDS?

Sometimes we stop praying for a certain cause, person or issue. We simply move on. But today, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on your forgotten prayer. Has someone or something dropped off your radar in recent months or years? Today is a good day to pray.

My forgotten prayer is for those who have been touched by AIDS. O Lord, help us to care and support those who suffer from HIV and AIDS. Wipe away this illness from our earth. Bring comport, joy and peace to your people. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, 0 God; may all the peoples praise you.

Let me know what you are praying for today in the comments below so I can join you today.

Amen


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5 comments:

  1. Poignant post Ed and a great challenge to reengage our prayers for forgotten causes and people no longer remembered.

    People persecuted for having faith may fall into that category of folks that I no longer pray for.

    I am saying an amen to your prayer to wipe away HIV and AIDS.. and I am asking God to do the same with religious persecution.

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  2. I join you in your prayer for those who are persecuted for their faith. There are many who face physical threats (especially in parts of Africa and Asia) plus the many who are pushed away by family or friends because of their faith. May the Lord provide strength, protection and comfort.

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  3. Let me add my amen, and my prayers for your heart felt post today!

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  4. Too true that we must pray for these poor african people with aids and all their poor orphaned children who also have aids. There is good news though (God is always good hey). My church here in Australia has just hosted an evangelist and church planter from Uganda named Wilson Kulaba. I exalt God and praise Him just thinking about those meetings. People were saved and Wilson told us that every week in Uganda they have thousands turn up for the church meetings over there. Thousands of people being born again converted by God from islam. Praise God. Check out Wilsons' books on the web. Also Angus Buchan. God is pouring out His Holy Spirit. Praise God it's harvest time.

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