Quietly to Pray

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12, KJV).

What would Jesus do? I’ve found myself asking that question a lot lately. 

A family loses their young son or daughter to a car accident.

A young woman is fighting for her life against a third cancer diagnosis.

A single Mom loses her job as she works to provide for her kids.

I could write line after line of unjust, unfair, and unexplained tragedies that befall us every day. You need only to flip on your television, and watch a few news stories to be reminded of what Jesus said in John 16:33:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

How do we handle it when unjust things happen? 

How do we respond when we see evil on display in our world? 

How do we handle the burden and heaviness that weighs on us?

We all wish there was a simple, direct answer to those questions. Yet, because we are complex human beings, made in the image of God, our emotions allow us to process things differently.

As I laid in bed one night last week, thinking about recent events that have impacted our country, I found my mind drifting to the story of Jesus in Mark 1. Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and was just beginning his public ministry. Fast forward to verse 35:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was so dependent on his Father that He chose to sneak away early to pray. Discipline. Dependence. I want to be like Jesus. 

Many have publicly condemned the recent high profile tragedy in our country. Others chose to publicly celebrate. Still others weren’t even aware of the individual involved. The sad reality is, though there will never be the same amount of press, there are folks murdered every single day in our world because they are standing in the gap for Jesus. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

I don’t think there is any one right or wrong way to respond when something of this nature happens. For me, I have chosen to acknowledge two significant things: the presence of evil, and the need to pray. Lord, help me to be like Jesus.