Reading John Elliott's message about the tragedy that has befallen Kenya in recent days urged me to think about the need for God's kingdom on this earth.There are countless tales of corruption, atrocity and suffering on the African continent. It is a huge complex mix of mankind living out their lives in the hope of something better. Sadly their governments have not protected them nor supplied so many of the basic needs. No wonder that many turn to religion for help to survive and to give them a glimmer of hope that life holds out something more than their miserable present.

This article in today's Financial Times gives a summary of Kenya's story in terms of the hope that economic investment would bring. That hope is now set back till order and stability are restored. Here is the conclusion:

But there is a danger that these signs of fresh disaster will stoke belief among investors that the billions being raised in western capital to meet African demand for infrastructure and corporate growth are misplaced. Rather, the crisis in Kenya should serve as a reminder that a continent so huge, complex and beset with challenges will remain vulnerable to setbacks whenever politicians have only their own interests at heart, and so long as the majority live on barely a dollar a day.

This reminded me of God's indictment of the rich in James 5:1-6

"Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!  Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.  Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter.  You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you."

Before you turn away to the next crisis or other pressing matter in life say a prayer for the peace of Kenya and its people, and pray "thy kingdom come".