A lot has happened in the last few weeks. How do we pray with so much tragedy and death in the news?
Pray for the fearful, that their fear would be replaced with faith and hope.
Pray for those wanting revenge, that their anger would give proper place to wrath, and that not by their own hands (Rom 12:19; Rom 13:4; 1 Tim 2:8).
Pray for those in power to minister justice for the good of all.
Pray for those in authority that their actions would promote peace and quiet (1 Tim 2:1).
Pray for murderers that they might know the love of God who died for them while they were yet sinners (Rom 5:8).
Pray for the families that lost fathers, husbands, sons, and daughters, that they would trust in God which raises the dead.
Pray for strength for the day, patience toward all men, and courage to speak the truth.
Pray to bring to mind where we can help and to ask God to help where we cannot.
Pray to put the names of others in the ears of the Father of mercies.
Pray not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good.
Pray for the mercy of the Lord, the power of Christ, and the renewal of our minds.
Pray to thank God, even in tragedy, for his sufficient grace, eternal purpose, resurrection life, and righteous instruction for adversity.
This is how prayer works. It works to keep our heads on right, remain faithful, and place peace in our hearts. This helps greatly, especially when death surrounds us.
In this life, there will always be death. We don’t pray to keep us from death. We pray because there is something more important than this life.
Pray without ceasing,
Justin “keep praying” Johnson