Yes, We Should Pray Following Tragedies, And What We Should Do After Prayer

 We have repeated this cycle way too often. This year alone we have had eighteen (based on how certain groups count) or eight (as counted by those who are quick to correct the other groups) school related shootings. And after each, as well as after the other gun related tragedies, we fall into a cycle. That cycle starts with a number of individuals, both famous and unknown, asking for prayer for the comfort of those involved in the tragedies. This is followed by those who declare that the time for prayer is long past and it is time for action. In fact, for people of faith, it is time for both. So in the shadow of our most recent tragedy it is time to pray and to ask what we should do after the “Amen.”

Yes We Should Pray

“Let’s remember to pray,” has publically reached the point where it is no different than saying, “I understand,” when in reality the person saying it does not understand. Saying anything about prayer has become and empty platitude, no more meaningful than asking someone how they are doing when you do not expect (or want) the truth. The impression the world has of our offer of prayer seems to be that we want to look like we are doing something while not really doing anything. Prayer is seen as running away from the problem instead of dealing with reality.

Ironically prayer is the single most powerful thing a believer can do in light of what we see happening in our nation...in our world. The Bible is full of promises of what will happen if God’s people turn to Him. Our God is wise and mighty, having an answer to all our problems if we seek Him wholeheartedly. In the process we are brought into alignment with His will, praying beyond the simple (but important) “Bring comfort to…,” and moving to praying for the very solutions we so need.

What We Should Do After Prayer?

The people who make up the Body of Christ are God’s hands and feet on earth. As a result, part of the answer to our prayers about school shootings involves getting off the pews and responding as God calls. This is the history of the church where believers, moved by convictions of faith, have always been active in helping their neighbors during times of great need. During the plagues, Christians stood in the face of epidemic helping those who had become too weak to help themselves. In the process they risked their own lives while ministering to people suffering with a contagious and deadly illness. Christians like William Wilberforce stood with the abolitionists in fighting the injustice of slavery, risking reputation and status. In both cases believers felt it important to move as God’s hands, even at the risk of life and limb.

Our nation needs Christians to stand for our children today. True some may be called only to prayer. Some will be called to become active in schools, another adult to stand with the staff. Others will be called to contact local politicians, speaking up so that the voice of the church is not limited to those who try to elbow everyone else out of the public square. God will call some to do a combination of things or to do something not listed here. The fact is that prayer helps bring us in line with God where we will hear His call to do on His behalf.

So yes it is time for prayer. Just make sure you earnestly seek God with a heart that is open to acting as He calls. With a loving and obedient heart you will become the answer by which God moves prayer from a knee jerk reaction to a movement for change that will have a long lasting impact on our communities. Pray earnestly for results. Then follow your convictions with action as God leads.