I was driving to church for the evening Ash Wednesday service and thinking about what it means to be marked with the cross of ashes and hearing the words, “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Somewhere along the drive I heard the news about the tragedy in Broward County Florida. My groan was the only prayer I could offer at the time.
In 1989 a play, entitled Shadowlands, was written about C.S. Lewis and his brief marriage to Joy. Joy was dying with cancer. There is a poignant scene in the play where a couple of Oxford friends and colleagues to Lewis were discussing the merits of prayer. One professor turns to Lewis and says: “And God hears your prayer, doesn’t he? We hear Joy’s getting better.” Lewis replies: “That’s not why I pray Harry. I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I am helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” (Shadowlands, p. 81)
This week “thoughts and prayers” have been lifted up by politicians, churches, people of faith and, I suppose, people of no faith, on behalf of those directly victimized by the school shooting. We have heard such sentiments before in the aftermath of violence, disaster and tragedy. There is no need to recount them here in this writing.
If prayer, in the words attributed to Lewis, is about changing me, I have to ask, “How am I being changed?”
I understand that many of us offer our “thoughts and prayers” because we really do not know what else to do. What has happened has happened and no thoughts and prayers will undo the massacre of Parkland or Sandy Hook or Las Vegas or Orlando.
Yet something has to change, or our prayers really don’t mean anything. We have to change our bent towards violence as a solution to our problems and as entertainment for our boredom. We have to change our hateful rhetoric and binary divisiveness that fuels a “we versus they” mindset. We have to change how we see our neighbor and stranger, because when someone feels isolated and alone, carnage is the result. We have to change how we think and deal with mental illness. We have ignored or stigmatized mental illness for too long, and the victims are legion. And yes, we have to change our attitude about gun control. As a nation we have placed ourselves in a ridiculous corner, defending assault rifles and the like while innocents die. Of course this is not an exhaustive nor a conclusive list, but change must begin somewhere, or else why do we pray?
I am not pretending that my own thoughts and prayers have given me perfect clarity on the issues and now I need to convince others of my “rightness.” I do believe our thoughts and prayers should bring us together that we may strive for the change God most needs. It will not be easy. In fact, it most certainly will mean sacrifice on some level.
There is another scene that comes to mind, this one in ancient Scriptures. Jesus kneels in a Garden and prays with tears of blood, asking that the cup pass from him. Yet we read that soon he stands up and walks forward to act on his prayer. This prayer of Jesus moves from praying for deliverance from death, to trust and commitment with God’s participation and providence.
Likewise, when we go to Gethsemane our thoughts and prayers must make the necessary movement from deliverance to a call to action. More than ever our prayers need to change us, because God knows we need it.
So well said. Thank you for sharing.
Perhaps as part of the answer, more families turn to God and raise their
children in the church. There is too much violence in the movies, games and TV. How can that be changed?
Amen and Amen….
Comment from Mark Ruffalo: Prayers without accordant action are silent lies told to oneself, heard by no God, amounting to nothing. Action is the language of truth, the prayers of the Saints.
Perfectly stated! How can we make our fellow Americans of all persuasions see it and act on it just as you,Dr. DeLoach, have so well articulated the problems and the solutions? Our prayers are for everyone to hear your prayers.
How right you are. As we pray for guidance we must be open to change within ourselves… and the courage and strength to recognize where we have erred before. Repentance, forgiveness and restoration are what I pray for.
Asking for God to give us His eyes to see others as He sees them. How can we push anyone aside if we truly see them as God sees them? The greatest commandment is the most overlooked commandment. Tragedy brings us together, but yet when we have the opportunity to act and avoid the same tragedy, we revert back to our personal corners, our biases, our political agendas, and our own fears. It is time to pray for strength to push “ourselves” aside and love all people, especially those who we have made to feel left out.
So thoughtful, Greg! The quote from Shadow Lands is so very helpful. Sometimes all we can say is “thoughts and prayers…”. Thanks for sharing.
AMEN
Good Words Greg. Prayers that lead to Movement. Thank you.
Thank you so much Dr. Greg! Thanks for remind us about the goal of prayer – change ourselves and bring us a little bit close to God! Thanks again! May God bless and help the families there!
Thank you Greg for your words of wisdom. I can’t understand why anyone would need these assault weapons on the market today, it always comes down to the all mighty dollar. My dear late husband would stand firm in his belief that if you outlaw guns, then only the outlaws would have them . The root to this madness is usually unstable mental health of the shooters. They should be diagnosed early in life and treated accordingly…. someone should monitor their behavior daily and report them to authorities even if they are family members, especially if they are family. I’m so upset about those children and their families We have to get mental facilities up and running again to avoid these tragedies. Sorry to rant, but it is heavy on my heart
Beautifully said!!
This was perfect, Dr. DeLoach! By the way, is it too late to get an autographed copy of your book?
Once again you challenge us to follow Jesus more closely. Thank you, Greg
I’ve always been a fan of your preaching, your blogs, your energy, and your voice was nice and strong and kept me focused. Praying so hard now for a 3 year old in Colorado on a ventilator. Just got to make a difference.
Never too late! Just send me an email or message me on FB and I will send you the information.