What would You Pray for if You Lived in a Slum?

I spent last week teaching at a pastors’ conference in a very poor and violent slum in Port Au Prince, Haiti. Many of the pastors I served live in the area. It’s their life.

On the first day of the conference I stood in a prayer line for the better part of an hour and prayed with over 40 pastors. One-by-one they came up and shared their needs. I’d then prayed with them through a translator.

What shocked me was the nature of the pastors’ requests. A few had physical ailments they wanted prayer for (mostly sick stomachs as their diets are woefully inadequate), and a few others wanted prayer for God’s provision for their churches. But the overwhelming number of requests I got were for a deeper understanding of God’s Word and for power in ministry.

It was so humbling. Pastor after pastor–every one of them living in terrible poverty and facing the daily threat of violence–asked for anointing, insight, discernment, power on his preaching and great authority in ministry. Not one asked for rescue from his terrible circumstances. Not one asked for a relief from his suffering. Not one wanted to ask God why he had been chosen to live in such a terrible place.

Pastor Jack (in the blue and white shirt) and his home in Haiti

These men of God knew that he had called them to serve–to live, preach, minister and even die–in the slum. That issue was settled for them. So what did they want? Authority in ministry and a deeper knowledge of God’s Word.

Like I said–I was blown away.

And then I started thinking: If I was in their shoes, what would I pray for? Would I be so brave and noble as these guys were? Would I be as selfless, as content and as obedient? I can only pray that I would be.

What about you? What would you pray for if you lived in a slum? Think about it today.

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