This has been an horrific week in New Zealand. A 15 year old went missing over a week ago and today the authorities are speaking to a 'person of interest'. A 13 year old, on her way to school, (in our neighbourhood) disappeared and was not missed for a week!
Then, 10 young people from a local Christian College were swept up in a canyoning accident which ultimately claimed the lives of 6 students and their teacher.
As the news swept the nation people prayed. Parents prayed that their children were not amongst those involved, and I have no doubt that the students prayed that God would save them, and yet 7 died.
To say, as some have, that four were saved because they prayed seems a little insensitive to me. Does that mean that God didn't listen to those that died, despite their prayers, or that God listened more to the parents of those that survived: or does it mean that they didn't pray 'right'. (How many thousands of Christians suffer, go hungry, are lonely, die each day - despite the fact that they ask God to get involved and make it different? Does God not listen to them? Or are they not praying hard enough?)
Don't get me wrong I am thrilled that some survived and I have no doubt that God heard their prayers, and even that God acted to provide for their escape. But I don't think we can say that God saved just because of prayer! I think there is more involved!
Could it be that God has a lot more information than we do - that our vision and understanding are finite and narrow - and that God doesn't always act in the ways that we dictate, or even as we understand compassion and love?
The amazing thing is they prayed! That's always the best and right thing to do.
