Archbishop of Sydney

Prayers for country-siders

By + George Pell
ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY
1 December 2002

Even by Australian standards this drought is unusual because it is so widespread. Scientists tell us that it is connected with the El Nino phenomenon, an anomalous change in the temperature of currents in the Pacific Ocean.

Whatever of this, some wheat silos have opened only once in the past a or a years, and some districts have been without decent rain for years. In one area in South Australia the meagre crop produced this year was damaged by hail after 12 months of drought. The last a months in Sydney have been the driest on record, but we Sydneysiders with our wonderful supply of water can only imagine the problems from the "dry" in the west of our state.

Often it is not only land and finances which are damaged, but the workers and their families, where enormous strain can be placed on family relationships.

Prayer is an important expression of solidarity between those suffering and those who want to help, but prayer is not an alternative to practical assistance. For Christians both are necessary.

Country people, with dwindling local populations and dwindling services, sometimes imagine they have been forgotten by their richer cousins along the coast, especially in the major cities. But most refuse to abandon their humour or their stoicism. It is an old saying that "there is no point in praying for rain unless the wind is from the west", but rain does occasionally sweep down from the north.

They are always confident that rain will come, because it always rains at the end of a drought!

There is no doubt that God has a difficult task answering our different and conflicting requests. Sometimes it would be bad if we received what we requested. Midas wanted everything he touched turned to gold and it was!

In the Our Father Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread, just as he assured us God would answer our prayers. However even children know that we often do not receive what we ask for. This need not mean that God is not listening.

Some years ago, a friend of mine with a large young family was dying from cancer. It was suggested to him as he lay sick in bed that he too should pray for a miracle cure. "No need for that", he replied, "there has already been a miracle: my being able to accept my illness".

Christ told us to continue to pray, despite difficulties, to persevere, especially when it seems our prayers are not heard. He also explained that successful prayer needs faith in the God who is being addressed. We are to trust in providence. Look at the birds in the sky who are fed by their Heavenly Father. One of the strangest teachings from Christ in the New Testament is that if our faith was strong enough even a mountain could be uprooted and thrown into the sea! Not too many have passed that test.

But we can develop a strong sense of solidarity within communities across the rural and urban divide and we can find practical ways to help.