Open the Eyes of the Blind

For those who are struggling with debt, it can be hard to see a way out or a better future. For those who have plenty, it can be hard to see beyond the things of this world and connect with the love of God.

In John 9 (excerpts from NIV), Jesus heals a blind man on the Sabbath which causes all sorts of confusion among the people and particularly the Pharisees, about the nature of sin, who has the ability to perform miracles and spiritual blindness:

16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Even for those who believe, it can be hard to truly see, to be blinded by detail or disputes. Only by putting Jesus at the centre, to have unquestioning belief like the man who was healed can we truly see.

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Jesus' work is a collective challenge - "we must do the works of him who sent me" - as such if we claim to live the life of Christ, that our eyes are open, then we take that responsibility upon ourselves. To live as Jesus lived, with kindness, consideration, care for the uncared for, love for our enemy as well as our neighbour, selfless, love-full, looking beyond our own agenda to how we can be a part of God's plan. All those things that help bring the Light of the World into the darkness, like the Ely and District CAP team bringing the love of God with them into the homes of clients struggling with debt.

Prayer

Please pray for all those suffering in the poverty trap, unable to see a way ahead and feeling isolated and rejected by society. Pray that they would know the Light of the World in their darkness. Pray especially for a client struggling with disability and loneliness, for one struggling with the darkness of addiction as well as debt, for a couple who feel unable to communicate with each other. Pray that the Light of Christ would shine into all their situations and help build a path to a better and brighter future.

Pray for those who have reached out to CAP for help, that they would know the firm foundation of God's love for them as a strength for the path ahead.

Pray for the Ely and District CAP team for the light that they bring into the homes of our clients. Pray for the preparations for the service at the Countess Church, that this would be a great opportunity to spread the message of how Ely and District CAP can help tackle poverty and debt in our community.

Pray for the new Money Coaching Course and all the ways that Ely and District CAP wants to support those suffering with debt and poverty in our communities in the year ahead, pray for guidance and support as these ideas are developed.