His Great Power (Intern Insights)
“For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth—the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!” Amos 4:13 (ESV)
Doesn’t that verse just bring a smile to your face? Do me a favor and read it again. Savor every word and meditate on the greatness of our God. Doesn’t it fill you with joy? Knowing that He who created the wind, He who formed our very thoughts and who treads in the Heavenly realms…knows you? The God of the universe knows you. Considering the magnitude of the Lord’s unfathomable splendor, it’s hard for our human minds to comprehend His desire to have a personal relationship with each and every one of us. This verse reminds me of that power and love and offers encouragement as I read today’s prayer request about mothers who are facing horrific pregnancy-related complications.
Every day women in West Africa suffer problems from childbirth and abortion such as bleeding, infection, and high blood pressure. Hundreds die daily from these difficulties, and many others retain serious injuries from the birthing process. If you live in the U.S. it may be tough to fully grasp the scope of this problem, so let me offer a little perspective. The overwhelming majority of maternal deaths worldwide occur in developing countries due to a lack of prenatal care, midwives, and qualified doctors. 36 of the 40 countries with the highest rates are within sub-Saharan Africa, their lifetime risk of maternal death 1 in 39 women. Compared to 1 in 2,400 in the U.S. and only 1 in 14,100 in Sweden, the drastically higher percentage in West Africa reinforces and exemplifies how little females are valued in that society.
But look one last time at the Old Testament verse above. Reflect on the wonders God has created. If He is mighty enough to speak mountains in to existence, who is to say His power isn’t sufficient to bring relief to the West African mothers facing these fears and dangers? Let’s pray today that God would step in to this situation in a big way. Together, let’s ask Him to provide African women with midwives and doctors who have the knowledge to handle these easily preventable pregnancy complications.