Today, may we continue to join our voices in prayer for Paris and for the Syrian Refugees.
Much has been said over the recent events in Paris. My heart breaks for those who are hurting. And I believe the heart of God breaks for those in the midst of this tragedy as well. When we hurt, He hurts. When we cry, He cries. The loss of life deeply affects His spirit as it does ours. And His heart aches for the brokenness of this world. He longs for new heaven & new earth. The place where all things are made right, all things are made new. For things to be on earth as they are in heaven.
But today, as I continue to survey the landscape & the myriad of responses, I can’t help but wonder… How should we respond as followers of Jesus of Nazareth in the face of this tragedy?
I don’t have the answers. Christians, followers of Jesus of Nazareth, disagree on how we should respond. But there’s one idea I think we can all agree on. One posture I think we would all unanimously approve. Prayer.
As the people of God may we be known first as a people who pray. So today, as you & I pray for Paris, for Syrian refugees, for peace, for the world…
May we pray in such a way that…
1. We aren’t afraid.
Fear is the driving force of our culture. Many people are afraid & rightfully so. But fear has always been a present reality for every place & time. Even in the days of Jesus fear reigned in the hearts & lives of people. Yet even in the most tragic of circumstances Jesus often said, Don’t be afraid. So let’s not tangle with fear. We know how the story ends. God wins.
2. We let compassion be our lead story.
As followers of Jesus of Nazareth, I don’t know any other way to respond. In every situation, every conversation, every prayer we pray, may we have a heart of compassion for those in need in this hour.
3. We let the way of love define our faith.
If we’re known for anything as a community of faith, especially in the midst of such hate, may it be the love of Jesus. As we pray may we ask our Father, who’s name is Love, to let love lead us through this time of tragedy, uncertainty. Our faith can be defined in many ways. What our faith is in is ultimately revealed & tested in moments like this. May love be the definition of our faith.
David’s Prayer
In a moment in distress in the life of David, the one known as a man after God’s own heart, he prayed…
“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
Psalm 3.3
May our God be a shield about those today in harms way. May he be the provider, sustainer & the one who lifts the head of those in need in this hour.
Antoine Leiris
May he provide this peace to people like Antoine Leiris who lost his wife in the attack. Mr. Leiris wrote this open letter to terrorist. It may be one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read.
“On Friday night you stole the life of an exceptional being, the love of my life, the mother of my son, but you won’t have my hatred. I don’t know who you are and I don’t want to know – you are dead souls. If this God for which you kill indiscriminately made us in his own image, every bullet in the body of my wife will have been a wound in his heart. So no, I don’t give you the gift of hating you. You are asking for it but responding to hatred with anger would be giving in to the same ignorance that made you what you are. You want me to be afraid, to view my fellow countrymen with mistrust, to sacrifice my freedom for security. You have lost. I saw her this morning. Finally, after many nights and days of waiting. She was just as beautiful as when she left on Friday night, just as beautiful as when I fell hopelessly in love over 12 years ago. Of course I’m devastated with grief, I admit this small victory, but it will be short-lived. I know she will accompany us every day and that we will find ourselves in this paradise of free souls to which you’ll never have access. We are two, my son and I, but we are stronger than all the armies of the world. I don’t have any more time to devote to you, I have to join Melvil who is waking up from his nap. He is barely 17-months-old. He will eat his meals as usual, and then we are going to play as usual, and for his whole life this little boy will threaten you by being happy and free. Because no, you will not have his hatred either.”
We pray for Mr. Leiris & every one who is directly affected by the terrible acts. Lord have mercy. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come.
