“Break my heart for what breaks Yours”—perhaps the most dangerous prayer I’ve ever uttered. Shortly after these words were spoken, I gradually began to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. I began to recognize the things that bring Him to tears, and in doing so, I was called to step outside of myself. My prayers shifted from routine requests to an intentional conversation, and though it seemed I was losing a part of myself, in reality, I was stepping into my calling.
At the start of this year, I felt an uneasiness in my spirit that I couldn’t quite ignore but also couldn’t understand. Desperate for clarity and longing for peace, I committed myself to fasting, prayer, and daily Bible study, ensuring that my relationship with God remained my priority. At first, my prayers were centered on my own life and the needs of my family. If I’m being honest, my prayer list was long, and I didn’t have room to intercede for anything outside my immediate circle. I had placed the Lord in a box because I wasn’t ready to surrender control. As my family and I faced new challenges, I felt my peace slipping away more and more.
Then I broke. I begged God to take over. This time, I truly meant it. My prayers began to shift, and I felt a deep longing for purpose. One night, at the end of my prayer, I said, “Break my heart for what breaks Yours,” not fully understanding the weight of those words.
And then something changed.
Suddenly, my heart was drawn to the people around me. I began to see the needs, the suffering, and the injustice that I had once been blind to. Apathy was no longer an option. “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3)
As a half-Mexican, half-Salvadoran woman in the U.S. in January of 2025—as Trump stepped into office for his second term—I couldn’t ignore what was happening to my people. The rise of hatred and division became impossible to overlook. I could no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering happening worldwide, nor could I ignore the hate being spewed in my own community. I could no longer afford the comfort of ignorance when Jesus Himself was calling me out of my comfort zone.
We should feel uncomfortable with the state of the world. It is not enough to simply carry the burden of awareness—Jesus calls us to action. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” (Proverbs 31:8) He has called us to serve the people, to love them as He does. Scripture is clear: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
I wish the American church would rise to the occasion and truly reflect the heart of God, but I must remind myself that the church is not a building or an institution—it is within the believer. I cannot wait for a church to move when Jesus has already placed the calling on my heart.
Reading the news, I won’t lie—I have felt a righteous anger course through my veins. I have felt afraid, enraged, confused, and small. I imagine every informed minority feels the same in this climate. Yet, through it all, I have felt the presence of Jesus. I believe He is mourning with us. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
All this to say: it’s not enough to pray for change while standing on the sidelines. This isn’t about boasting or placing shame on others. Believe me, I tried to ignore politics under the guise of “self-care.” I tried to avoid taking a stance to protect my own comfort. But the truth is, if you read the Bible, you will see that every one of Jesus’ disciples abandoned comfort to follow Him. “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
I pray that the legacy I leave for my children is not one of immeasurable wealth, but of unwavering faith and a heart for Jesus and humanity. But behavior is learned, and if I want them to live this way, I must model it myself.
We are stronger than we realize. Louder than the noise that tries to silence us. We are not defeated, no matter how dire the situation becomes. Now is the time to rise—to speak for the oppressed, to care for the needy, and to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
I don’t yet know my exact role in all of this, but I know it begins with showing up. Whether it means feeding the hungry, volunteering at shelters, or building a nonprofit—I trust that all I have to offer is enough for God. He will take what little we have and make it extraordinary. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
All we need to do is be willing. The rest is in His hands.
Ways to Help the Oppressed:
Whatever you have to offer, God can use it for extraordinary things.