With newspapers scattered throughout the adult Sunday school room, my husband asked attendees to give their gut reactions to the new headlines placed before them. Avoiding any political discussions or expected church type responses, he encouraged us to share emotions from the heart when we think through local, national, or world news.
“Discouraged, disillusioned, heartbroken, hopeless, frustrated, angry, numb, hypocritical, sorrowful, lack of critical thinking skills, hopeful for the second coming, out of control” and the responses continued.
What could have been a potentially explosive discussion became a time of pointing our feelings towards the only truth: God’s unchanging, infallible, Word of God — the only plumb-line that can help make sense of these days.
Regardless of where we stand politically or on issues of global importance, it’s a time where many of us have deep-seated feelings that are so far out of our ability to control or change what is happening.
It only takes a few minutes on Facebook to find people spewing venom and reactions based on emotion, often without first taking time to check facts or sources. I can’t help but imagine that Satan celebrates each time believers act out, especially against each other. That conflict among believers rips apart the body of Christ.
In John 1:14, we are told that the Word became flesh and “was full of grace and truth.”
Often we forget that grace and truth must go hand in hand.
As my home church has encouraged “prayer labs” over the past month, I’ve felt a profound sense of conviction at how often I vent my frustrations and cynicisms before I first ask the Holy Spirit to equip me in my response and pray accordingly.
Over and over, I am reminded that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Nothing takes Him by surprise, so we can trust that He cares deeply for every decision. He is able to accomplish good and His heart’s desire is that we ask. That doesn’t mean that the headlines will change, but we know that He can use them for His glory.
As the US election year escalates, I see more and more Christians updating their status to “If X-Y-Z gets elected, I am moving.” I understand this frustration, but can I encourage us to be women of prayer who stand in the gap on behalf of our nation? (This applies to all, regardless of our home country.)
I’m filled with profound gratitude that Jesus didn’t up and leave when the going got tough. He stood firm to the end and encouraged His disciples to do likewise. This is our opportunity to live faithfully in the midst of difficult times, even though others may oppose us, to weep with those who weep, and intercede on behalf of God’s truth.
Will you stand along side my church as we pray through the news headlines just like my Sunday school class did during our “prayer lab”?
Instead of reacting on emotion, join me in grabbing a Bible and the newspaper. Let’s open God’s Word and use His truth plumb-line when it comes to the world at large.
What are our weapons? How does our response change when we believe this to be true? {See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5}
How might we react differently when we agree with Jesus about our role? {See Matthew 5:14-16}
What role does slander play in the news? What is tempting about slander? (Especially difficult when it’s presented as news, so pray for discernment.) What does Paul say to do? {See Ephesians 4:31-32}
For whom should we pray? Why? {See Matthew 5:44-45; 1 Timothy 2:1-4}
How can we know what to pray? {See Romans 8:26-27}
What does our heart attitude need to be for effective prayer? {See Isaiah 66:2b}
Consider the following as we pray through the headlines.
1. Pray the truth about God . . . that He is sovereign and loving and able to answer our prayer about this topic. Speak that truth out loud in prayer. God already knows, but it helps us to declare that truth. Who does He say He is?
2. Do a heart check: what attitude do I have about this topic? Do I have anger or pride or some other response about this topic that will get in the way of my prayer? Do I have self-righteous or condemning thoughts? Ask God to forgive that attitude, and help us overcome it.
3. Thank the Holy Spirit for leading us as we pray. Listen for Him to lead us now. (It’s okay to wait a bit as you listen for the Spirit to prompt you. Rest in the silence.)
4. Pray specifically for the people and the situation in the news story . . . for any change that might be needed, for salvation, for healing, for provision, for wisdom, for peace in this situation.
Now when my gut reactions scream frustration and hopelessness, I open His Word. I commit to prayer and not just another “share.” I commit to bringing these news topics before the Lord, knowing that in the end, He is the ultimate authority.
I ask that we continue our prayers in the comments. (No political discussions, just a time to intercede on behalf of the immediate needs of our countries.)
Jen Schmidt of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam and host of the Becoming Conference
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Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jen,
This is a great call to prayer for all of us. Like you said, all God wants us to do is ask. He is always waiting, we just need to come to Him in prayer. Lord, I ask you to be with our country. Heal our hearts and heal our land. I praise you that I can take heart because Christ has overcome this world. He has the last word. I know how this story ends – with victory. Help me to live my life as a lamp on a lamp stand. Where there is darkness, let me speak the Word of Truth. Help me to do my part that others might turn from their evil ways and see You, Lord, as the way, the truth, and the life. Let our leaders turn to you for wisdom and guidance. Let us examine ourselves and if there is anything within us that is not pleasing to you, God, let us turn from it. Lord, heal our land. I thank you that my ultimate trust is not in a human leader, but is in You alone. You are sovereign and in that I take have my hope. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Blessings,
Bev
An says
Thank you, Bev, for this beautiful prayer-I am grateful for it speaking to and with my heart, for God’s work through you 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
An…so glad to have our hearts linked up in prayer!!
Bev xx
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Love this!! xox 🙂
Michele Morin says
Thanks for this gentle rebuke — I’m not a “hard news” kind of girl, and am often too lazy in the head to sort out the nature of conflict in the Middle East, all the factions and sub-factions with names that have too many vowels and unlikely combinations of consonants. But then, there’s John 3:16, so I”m trying to be stronger in this so that I can pray with knowledge and insight. Again, thank you!
Trish says
I’m leaning on James 3:16-17
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
You are so welcome. It truly can get overwhelming to being to understand everything and leaning into these scriptures makes such a difference.
Blessings!!
karen says
This is an excellent clear and concise guide for prayer in these next months. THANKS. I plan to use it!
Jen@beautyandbedlam says
So glad you find it helpful, Karen.
brianewithane says
Love these thoughts Jen! One of the lessons learned in seminary that has most affected my thinking is that over the course of human history kingdoms have risen and fallen, but God is sovereign over it all and His plans and purposes always prevail. Americans are quite arrogant in our beliefs about our nation and its place in history and the world. Learning about the rise fall of Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and so many others has helped me move my focus from national politics to heavenly purposes. It has helped me to shake off fear and dismay at what is going on in our world and turn my face to God, asking in prayer for God to break my heart for what breaks His, and let go of the other worries that crowd my mind. Thanks for this good reminder.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
SO SO good, Briane. I read your comment out loud during our family devotions as we discussed this very issue. Such a key reminder.
Beth Williams says
Briane,
You are spot on with your comment! So many kingdoms have come and gone–but God is still on the throne. In the end WE WIN!!
Blessings 🙂
Linda says
Thank you for the much-needed reminder and refresher! I’m one of those who has threatened (even if jokingly) to move … God obviously has a better plan and has used your article to remind me that my “platform” needs to be more like an altar.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
I think somewhere in the back of our minds, we’ve all jokingly made a similar comment (and even thought out the specific countries ;)), but praying through this all has really changed my perspective.
An says
Jennifer, I praise the Lord for this great posting. I am grateful for this guide to use during this difficult political time. This topic can be so charged and keeping our focus on Christ can help to speak truth and love, wholesome words. Thank you for helping me to see differently. May each of us be a light of Christ in the world through prayer for our country and each other 🙂
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
You’re so welcome, An.
Since I really follow politics, I’ve had to keep coming back to my own reminder to pray because like you mentioned, it can be SO charged and finding that balance of truth and grace is always at the forefront of my mind.
MillennialMom says
This is so timely! Thank you!!! I struggle with worry due to all the nonsense unfolding around us, and I am definitely heartbroken to see the way things are going in the U.S. today. I can’t echo enough how important it is to pray — none of it is too “far gone” for God, and not one person involved in the election process, the candidates, their financial backers, right on down the line, is exempt from needing Jesus. I want to cling to faith that the Lord will bring amazing things out of this dark time. Thank you for this great post!
jen @ beautyandbedlam.com says
You are welcome. I am clinging with you!!!!
Mindy Whipple says
Such a refreshing read and an encouragement to stand in the gap for our nation.
Carey Christian says
Thank you for this wonderful list and reminder that God is sovereign over all! May the Lord strengthen us His people to love well and live selflessly, no matter what!
Rebecca Jones says
I think this is a good time to start praying for our leaders, but mostly for God to make His choice and bless that person.
Joanna @ Modern Ruth Project says
I think this is great. The headlines are also a reminder of God’s sovereignty and our frailty. We so often can fool ourselves into thinking that we are in control, but looking at the headlines, we can see that anyone can be caught in a tragedy at any time. Our lives are ultimately in God’s hands.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
oh Joanna – you hit the nail on the head. It’s such a struggle to relinquish that assumed control. It’s all in His timing!
Afton Rorvik says
Thank you, thank you! Your beautifully written words speak peace.
jen@beautyandbedlam.com says
Thank you for your kind encouragement.
Jen @beautyandbedlam.com says
Absolutely – praying right along with you, Trish
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Our pastor’s wife started a prayer group with specific topics to pray about. This all came about after watching War Room-a powerful movie on prayer. One of the topics she included was our nation. We need to be in prayer for the leaders-whether we like them or not-to make right Godly decisions. We also pray for our local government. One of my prayers has been “come back God-this world and our country has lost it’s Christian Heritage”. Sometimes I pray for a revival in this country. II Chronicles 7:14 says “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” The times are getting bad in this and we must pray-long, hard and fervently!
Blessings 🙂
Beth Williams says
Trish,
I totally agree with you! I don’t have a good choice for president either. I will pray long and hard about this. God will raise up a good Christian leader for us soon!
Blessings 🙂