A question about prayer
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 2:49 pmGreetings to everyone who takes the time to read this post. The tragedy in Japan is of course dominating world current affairs at this moment and, needless to say, it is of urgent importance that all people of Christ pray for all of those affected, and all of those in need of help.
That aside, a small news item today, a tiny snippet barely given the time of day by any mainstream news organization, has got me really searching regarding how to pray. That is to say, I feel compelled by The Lord to meaningfully pray in consequence of this situation, but stumped about how to go about it. Maybe someone can share some insights with me.
The news item in question is the brutal knife murders of virtually an entire family, including 2 children and a baby, in the West Bank in the last day or two. Now, I have no interest in this forum of bringing up the same old divisive talking points re the Middle-East conflict. After all, as to the real problems at the core of the conflict, and the real, bone-fide solution to the whole thing- well, these are things for humans to speculate about, and for God, the father of Jesus Christ, to know.
But here's my point: How to meaningfully pray in the aftermath of such a hideous atrocity? Firstly, the bible makes it clear that there is no point praying for the dead.
And, of course, it is not the way of Christ to pray for God's wrath to come upon the perpetrators of this satanic act (though, of course, if they never repent and never turn to Christ, they will be very much on the receiving end of this wrath). But equally wrong, I feel convinced, would be a wishy-washy, vague prayer for peace. This is especially so, since the Word makes it plain and clear that there will be no peace until the Prince of peace returns
To sum up, beside praying for the mourning loved ones left behind, and perhaps that God bring his perfect way of justice, if not wrath, upon the perpetrators, the only meaningful, over-riding prayer I can think of is that Jesus hasten the timing of his second-coming to put a stop to such human evil for once and for all.
But even then, God already knows the exact point in the future when he will send Christ back to the earth, so would this be also counter-productive to pray about?
Alright, enough musings from myself. Any insights on this would be appreciated. God bless you.
That aside, a small news item today, a tiny snippet barely given the time of day by any mainstream news organization, has got me really searching regarding how to pray. That is to say, I feel compelled by The Lord to meaningfully pray in consequence of this situation, but stumped about how to go about it. Maybe someone can share some insights with me.
The news item in question is the brutal knife murders of virtually an entire family, including 2 children and a baby, in the West Bank in the last day or two. Now, I have no interest in this forum of bringing up the same old divisive talking points re the Middle-East conflict. After all, as to the real problems at the core of the conflict, and the real, bone-fide solution to the whole thing- well, these are things for humans to speculate about, and for God, the father of Jesus Christ, to know.
But here's my point: How to meaningfully pray in the aftermath of such a hideous atrocity? Firstly, the bible makes it clear that there is no point praying for the dead.
And, of course, it is not the way of Christ to pray for God's wrath to come upon the perpetrators of this satanic act (though, of course, if they never repent and never turn to Christ, they will be very much on the receiving end of this wrath). But equally wrong, I feel convinced, would be a wishy-washy, vague prayer for peace. This is especially so, since the Word makes it plain and clear that there will be no peace until the Prince of peace returns
To sum up, beside praying for the mourning loved ones left behind, and perhaps that God bring his perfect way of justice, if not wrath, upon the perpetrators, the only meaningful, over-riding prayer I can think of is that Jesus hasten the timing of his second-coming to put a stop to such human evil for once and for all.
But even then, God already knows the exact point in the future when he will send Christ back to the earth, so would this be also counter-productive to pray about?
Alright, enough musings from myself. Any insights on this would be appreciated. God bless you.
