Praying for Madeleine

It must be hard for people to know just what to pray in a situation like Madeleine McCann, the girl abducted while on holiday in Portugal. Naturally we all want to see her reunited with her parents and to be able to put this ordeal behind her. However, inspite of the prayer support of the Pope and thousands of others across the world, nothing seems to be happening. It's easy to lose hope and confidence in prayer.

There are a number of issues here which we need to consider in prayer.

Firstly, the welfare of Madeleine herself. No one knows where she is or whether she is still alive.

Secondly there's the person or persons who have abducted her. Do they know what harm they are doing to all concerned? Do they care?

Thirdly, we need to remember that thousands of children across the globe lose their life every day through poverty, famine or war. Whilst it is important to continue to pray for Madeleine, we need also to recognise that the world is an unjust place and we are all, to some degree, to blame.

In the Lord's Prayer we say the lines "Thy Kingdom Come on earth as it is in heaven". The meaning of these words is that we pray for a world where tragedies like these never happen. That requires a change of heart, not only in those who abduct children, but in all of us when we are selfish and greedy and put our own welfare above the welfare of others.

Prayer - Lord, may your Kingdom come, not only in this tragic situation with Madeleine, but for all those who suffer at the hands of others. May justice and peace be spread across this world, starting with me. Amen.