Reacting to the Devastation of War
Be moved to pray.
This piece is AI-free. These words are my creation without the mechanics of non-human artificial intelligence.
Reports of the devastation of war should leave a deep emotional impact. As Christians, this should greatly affect us.
The tragedy of war should also move our hearts to pray.
In this digital age, it is impossible to escape the images on our screens. The scenes coming out of Israel and Gaza make us sad, shocked, and uncomfortable, but maybe we need to see them to understand and feel the pain people are experiencing.
To feel is to understand better how to pray.
We know Israel is not the only place in the world dealing with the atrocities of war. Major conflicts (10,000 or more combat-related deaths this year) are actively occurring in Myanmar, Northern Africa, Russia-Ukraine, and Sudan, with other conflicts happening around the world.1
Should we pray for these situations, as well? Absolutely, and ask God to show you how to pray. He may lead you to pray for a particular nation or people group.
In recent years, I’ve been praying for Myanmar, which I have visited many times. The in-country war has led me to pray for friends, ministry partners, and the church—for protection, provision, and opportunities to share the gospel in this Buddhist nation where less than 7% of the people are Christian.
The attack on Israel by Islamist terrorists can only be described as evil. It is their mission. From birth, they are taught to hate any ideology other than their own—specifically Jews, and this hate also carries over to Christians.
Let us be moved to pray.
I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest. Isaiah 62.6
Pray for the victims of this conflict in Israel. The wounded Israelis and those who’ve been taken hostage. Families grieving the loss of loved ones. Parents who have sent their sons and daughters off to fight. Those who are scared for their lives as they hide out in bomb shelters.
Pray for the innocent residents of Gaza. Families caught in the crossfire. Those who are wounded. The ones forbidden from moving to safety or forced to abandon everything they have and flee in the night.
Pray for wisdom for leaders in Israel. Governmental leaders with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Military leaders whose decisions impact the lives of many. And pray for the soldiers.
Pray for Shalom. The Middle East needs the same peace as every other place in the world. Lord God, we pray for peace over Israel.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. Psalm 122.6
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
And finally…
Pray for the Islamist terrorist regime. This is a difficult prayer to pray, but we must pray it, for they were also created in the image of God. Pray they would somehow be impacted by a love they do not understand—the love of the God who made them and who has the power to save them.
Wikipedia contributors. “List of Ongoing Armed Conflicts.” Wikipedia, Oct. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ongoing_armed_conflicts.