Since January this year, we’ve seen uninterrupted increases in the price of fuel that prove problematic for consumers and motorists. But recently, oil companies have announced a rollback in the prices of petroleum products.
As the tension between Russia and Ukraine continues, we expect the downtrend to be reversed. Though the decline in the global oil prices resulted in the latest reduction, it might be temporary. The International Energy Agency warned of a supply shortage as Western countries consider cutting off Russian oil from the rest of the world as part of its sanctions.
The trend in our oil prices shows that nothing in this world is permanent. Sometimes, looking at trends brings fear of the future. Mainly when another crisis follows one breakthrough, this affirms God’s people’s role in chaos, wars, high prices of oil, and worries about the future. Yet, we believe that there will always be a reason to hope.
As God’s people, we know that He will continue to use His Church as salt and light and be a blessing to others. We might feel that what is happening is out of control, but God is in control. Nothing can dethrone God. He is sovereign, and His purposes cannot be thwarted.
We know that God shakes the things that can be shaken, so that only those that cannot be shaken shall remain. This is not the first time we have seen rebuilding after shaking. In Haggai 2:6–8, we can see how God has shaken all nations so that the treasures of all nations shall come in to His house.
“For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts.”
While we may not know the time and the season when all of the crises will end, we have the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be God’s witnesses in our city, province, nation, and to the ends of the earth. We can be the house of prayer for the nations as a church. We can stand in the gap and continue to declare and proclaim the word of God in our church.
May we be the people who will bring help and profess hope to our nation. May we be the ones who will rise as an extension of God’s hands and feet to the community. All these things we can do because we understand that God is with us and His peace reigns over us. God is in control, and He knows how everything will end.
Today, we will pray, not because it is the last resort, but because it is our only resort.
PRAYER POINTS
- Pray for the peace of God to rest in our hearts as we go through crises.
- Pray for economic recovery despite the rising cost of fuel and goods.
- Pray for boldness to preach the gospel wherever we are and whatever situation we are in.
To learn more about the current situation in our nation, you can read the resources in the links below.
- CNN Philippines article on the double-digit fuel price hike, which marks the 11th week of rise on fuel costs
- Manila Bulletin article on the rollback of fuel prices
- Inquirer article about how the rollback of fuel prices bring relief to consumers
- Inquirer article on the fuel price drop, which may only be temporary
- GMA News article on the latest developments on Russia’s war in Ukraine