Paris, Perspective, and Prayer

The words of Psalm 46 can help us focus on the power that is available through us in Christ. He is the One who will bring hope out of despair and strength out of helplessness. The first four verses of that Psalm say:

(1) God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

It can be a discouraging world, and we can experience being beset with hopelessness.  The tragedy in Paris can remind us that there is evil in this world, that there are those who attempt to do harm, even in the name of religion.   And, when there is loss that comes into our consciousness, we can meditate of God's comfort and be motivated to call on the name of the Lord, Whose truth can dispel deception, Whose light can overcome darkness.

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In the midst of despair, we can be embolden by hope in Jesus Christ, and that is an important message that we have been given. Hebrews 10 says:
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

The deadly Paris attacks continue to generate a host of emotions - concern, grief, outrage, to name a few.  In addition to the terrorists who died in the violence on Friday night, law enforcement are attempting to bring others who were involved to justice.  France announced air strikes on a central ISIS command center in Syria over the weekend.

In the aftermath of these attacks, and in light of the seemingly more dangerous situation that we face in the light of Islamic terrorism, you and I can be challenged to view this tragedy through spiritual eyes.

Baptist Press quotes the International Mission Board's top strategist for Europe, Mark Edworthy: "Some rush immediately to political or even ideological reasons behind the acts, but our workers understand the spiritual dimension of darkness in the world and the reality that violence can erupt anywhere and any time." He added that some would think the immediate response is that Paris needs to monitor more closely the whereabouts of known terrorists or some other "empty solution" to a very complicated problem.  Edworthy said, "But our workers have one driving thought: 'Paris needs Jesus.'"

Wendy Meador, IMB's prayer strategist for Europe, is quoted in the article as saying: "Please pray for the people of Paris, France and Europe in the coming days." She adds, "Ask for healing for those injured and comfort for those who have lost loved ones. Intercede for wisdom for those in authority as well as for citizens, as they react and respond to this situation. Petition our loving Father to fill grieving, questioning hearts with peace that only He can give. Pray for field workers as well as local believers as they reach out to the hurting and pray that many will place their faith in Him, as they seek hope after this crisis."

So, how can we pray in light of these horrific events?

American church planters Robert and Kathryn Baxter have been living near Paris since 1988 and are senior leaders of Le Bon Berger church, and the Charisma News website relates their specific requests in the wake of the Friday terrorist attacks:

We are praying for God's great mercy and compassion to be poured out on those who have lost a family member, friend, colleague. We are praying for this evil to be turned into a wave of salvation for the French.

God has told us that there are other terrorist cells active in France; and we are praying that they would be exposed to the authorities and dealt with adequately.

And finally, we believe God has called us to repent for the silence of the church as our society has slid into moral decadence. We believe that the "normalization" of immorality has destroyed God's protection over our nation. And He is calling us to repent.

On The Gospel Coalition website, pastor Scotty Smith of Christ Community Church in Nashville offered, "A Prayer of Lament in Response to the Terror Attack in Paris."  He writes, in part:

...Vengeance belongs to you, not to us. Make us warriors of peace and agents of hope. Our labors in the Lord are never in vain. The gospel of the kingdom will prevail. Defeated evil will be eradicated evil. The devil is filled with fury for he knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12). Make it much shorter, Father, much shorter...

He closes with this:

Grant us wisdom to know what loving mercy, doing justice, and walking humbly with you looks like in Paris, and in our own communities. Replace our frets and fears with faith and trust, and our rage and wrath with patience and courage. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ triumphant and grace-full name.

Today, I wanted to provide some emphasis on the importance of prayer in the wake of this tragedy in Paris.   We have to make sure that we recognize that the gospel provides the answer, the antidote, to this wave of Islamic terror.  So, we can be emboldened that there is quality outreach taking place to the Muslim world.

And, while it is very easy to become discouraged, even angry about instances of terror, the most powerful thing that we can do is go to the Lord in prayer and call on His power to be released in these desperate situations.  When we see crisis through spiritual eyes, we can recognize that the most effective tool to counter crisis and spiritual darkness.  We are in a war, it is a battle of good and evil, and God has given us powerful resources in order for His truth to go forward.