After the tragic events in Paris social media lit up with the hashtag #PrayforParis, images of the Eiffel Tower as part of a peace symbol abounded, and many pictures bore the blue, white, and red of France's flag. As with any movement there have been counterpoints. Where was the public outcry for victims in Beirut? What about those in Africa only a few months ago? What about the victims of violence done on our behalf? Which are all good questions to ponder. I don't know that it should stop us from trying to show solidarity, but it is a sobering reminder that our solidarity is needed for others as well.
Another peculiar response that I have seen is one urging people to stop praying for Paris. It was not an unexpected response when I was witnessing it from those who were atheists. It was unexpected when I began to see the Dalai Lama telling people not to pray. A religious leader of a faith that does usually pray. He is quoted in several news outlets citing that terrorism is a problem created by humans and we should deal with it ourselves. Huffington Post at least finishes out the quote with the Dalai Lama saying, "We cannot solve this problem only through prayers."
Perhaps he was just speaking in a shocking manner to stir people to action, or perhaps the purpose of prayer is just that different between our religions and I am just ignorant to that. However, to urge people to stop praying and do something (as the atheist suggested) or because it is a problem of our creation (as the Dalai Lama suggested) misrepresents what prayer is actually about, at least from a Christian perspective. Prayer is not about getting our wishes granted.
Now, I also have seen the televangelists proclaim, "Just pray and God will give you a better life" and heard people say, "I prayed real hard and God gave me a house and two cars." I call BS, that is not Christian prayer. God is not a gumball machine that you plug a prayer into turn the handle and get what you want. In some cases a car, in other cases an end to terrorism.
Prayer is conversation and relationship. Christians are called to pray, and the detractors about #PrayforParis are right to call us out on not being so public in praying for others. Our prayers are not just meant to be a few words we throw up to God and then continue to do nothing active about it. Our prayers are meant to change us, to remind us who we belong to, and that our God loves this world, and praying should inspire us to love that world too. Praying doesn't mean we are incapable of doing anything else, how would we feed ourselves if "prayed without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? That exhortation comes after the admonishment to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, never repay evil for evil, and seek to always do good. Prayer is meant to strengthen us for the work we are already to be doing. Let's be honest, we all need a little extra strength when it comes to the temptation to repay evil with more evil.
So keep praying, for Paris, for Beirut, for Iraq, for Kenya, for victims of Daesh, for those sucked into Daesh themselves, for us, and for all the world. Keep praying, AND keep doing your part to spread love not hate.
Another peculiar response that I have seen is one urging people to stop praying for Paris. It was not an unexpected response when I was witnessing it from those who were atheists. It was unexpected when I began to see the Dalai Lama telling people not to pray. A religious leader of a faith that does usually pray. He is quoted in several news outlets citing that terrorism is a problem created by humans and we should deal with it ourselves. Huffington Post at least finishes out the quote with the Dalai Lama saying, "We cannot solve this problem only through prayers."
Perhaps he was just speaking in a shocking manner to stir people to action, or perhaps the purpose of prayer is just that different between our religions and I am just ignorant to that. However, to urge people to stop praying and do something (as the atheist suggested) or because it is a problem of our creation (as the Dalai Lama suggested) misrepresents what prayer is actually about, at least from a Christian perspective. Prayer is not about getting our wishes granted.
Now, I also have seen the televangelists proclaim, "Just pray and God will give you a better life" and heard people say, "I prayed real hard and God gave me a house and two cars." I call BS, that is not Christian prayer. God is not a gumball machine that you plug a prayer into turn the handle and get what you want. In some cases a car, in other cases an end to terrorism.
Prayer is conversation and relationship. Christians are called to pray, and the detractors about #PrayforParis are right to call us out on not being so public in praying for others. Our prayers are not just meant to be a few words we throw up to God and then continue to do nothing active about it. Our prayers are meant to change us, to remind us who we belong to, and that our God loves this world, and praying should inspire us to love that world too. Praying doesn't mean we are incapable of doing anything else, how would we feed ourselves if "prayed without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)? That exhortation comes after the admonishment to encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, never repay evil for evil, and seek to always do good. Prayer is meant to strengthen us for the work we are already to be doing. Let's be honest, we all need a little extra strength when it comes to the temptation to repay evil with more evil.
So keep praying, for Paris, for Beirut, for Iraq, for Kenya, for victims of Daesh, for those sucked into Daesh themselves, for us, and for all the world. Keep praying, AND keep doing your part to spread love not hate.
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