As we continue providing space in the blogosphere for people to think through a transformational response to the crisis in Haiti and to tragedy in general, we turn to Generous Mind Jon Hirst, who considers basic steps of obedience as well as thinking transformationally with his children about disaster:
When tragedy strikes it seems like there is a basic step of obedience to step out and give. This is in line with the Bible’s call to care for those in need. But simply stepping out is not enough.
For it to be transformational we have to step out in initial obedience and then as Matt Bates from Mission Increase Foundation said yesterday we have to ask the bigger questions about why a country like Haiti is struggling so and what are we called to do at the larger level of representing Jesus to the people of Haiti.
If we give at the moment of tragedy and then forget about the people of Haiti we have not grown.
It has been so interesting as I have been working with my kids about the Haiti tragedy. I have challenged them to tell their friends at school. My six year old and nine year old both did this. They came back and reported that they were able to tell kids that didn’t know about the tragedy. Now I’m trying to think through what my next step is with my kids to help them engage with the cause of caring for those in need at a deeper level. I’m still praying and seeking God about next steps.
Since Jon wrote this, he’s put together a 30-day Haiti prayer guide for he and his family to pray through and has graciously given us the ability to offer it here: 30 Day Prayer Calendar_Haiti Tragedy
Do the Word 
Thanks for sharing this Eric. I was talking with a friend yesterday about how critical prayer is and we were observing that although we know that prayer is so important in our spiritual walk, we seldom are involved in intentional prayer.
It is so easy to see prayer as a tool for ministry rather than a relationship building process with our Father. So many times we look at prayer as a key element to making a project go well or to a powerful church service. But I think this probably saddens God because he really wants prayer to be a personal interaction with him on the deepest of levels.
I hope and pray that this prayer guide allows your audience to go deep with their family/their church/their small group in the area of intercession for the people of Haiti and use it as a way to build relationship with God as they struggle through the tragedy and seek a response.
Eric/John,
I love the TG response to Haiti series; thank you.
Also, any chance we could get the prayer guide as a regular Word doc and not a “docx” file? I am having trouble downloading it to my current MS Offic configuration.
Thanks,
Presley
Sure, Presley–happy to send it on.
Would you mind sending it to us as well?
(We attended the MI presentation in Raleigh, NC earlier this month. We are being transformed by the teaching. Praise be to our Lord!)
You bet, Stan and Patty–it’s on the way!