Fear and Terror

In many ways, I guess, we’ve always been in wartime.

Since Genesis 3, there have been extreme conflicts between people groups, nations, and terrorism throughout the world. The recent bombings in New York and New Jersey as well as the stabbings in Minneapolis have caused a fresh wave of uneasiness in many of us. The response to the current violence has ranged from hope to outrage, but there’s been no shortage of fear.

So what do we do? How do we respond to reality of terror as Christians?

There isn’t much that we can physically do unless we join the military or police force. We can, of course, arm ourselves with knowledge, work to push against the bigotry and fear of all Muslims, and share the gospel—those are things we ought to do. But, as Christians, we have the unique privilege and opportunity to also call upon the Lord. To engage in this battle spiritually. We may not be in the region where violence is occurring, though in this day and age we never really know when and where the violence will happen, but we can and should cry out to God in prayer and ask Him to rain down great mercy. We can intercede for those who are injured and ask for protection for those who are well. And so as we look at the conflicts around us and see just how limited we are, we can remember that God is bigger than any war and sudden danger. This should cause us to run and cling to Him in prayer.

Like the Psalmist in the midst of a fiery storm, we can cry out and pray that the Lord would cause this storm to cease and for God’s peace to reign in the hearts of those struggling with fear. If you’re struggling with anxiety and fear, be inspired by the Psalmist’s fervent prayer and cry to the Lord: “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress” (Psalm 107:28). We must pray for the Lord to deliver those who are suffering that they would be brought out of their distress. God hears our prayers. We can be comforted in knowing that even now Jesus is interceding for His own. And, we can also pray for the salvation of those who do not know Christ.

But in and through it all, we can resist the temptation to be gripped fear.

So, while we pray for others, let’s also pray that the Lord would help us resist the temptation to be fearful. Isaiah records God’s declaration to us in the midst of our temptation to be afraid: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (41:10). God is our God. He is holy, set apart and yet, he is personal. This means that He will be with us and with all Christians throughout the world. If terror prevails for a time on this earth, the truth of His great care for us does not wane. He promises in the midst of fearful things to be our strength. He promises to help us and to hold on to us with His righteous right hand. We serve a faithful and loving God who will not desert us.

My prayer for us today is this: Lord, you are awesome and mighty. You are holy and good. You are the great I AM. You gave your son Jesus for us so we might approach your throne of grace. It is for this reason we come before you and ask for mercy for our communities and the world. Lord, would you unite us in Christ? Lord, would you teach us to love as you have commanded us to do? We cannot do this on our own, in our own strength. Lord, we need you to work mightily and pray that you would do so for the good of our nations and the world, and the glory of your name.

(I would also like to invite you to participate in the free, simulcast, Revive Our Heart’s prayer event Cry Out this Friday, 9/23. For more information visit: http://www.cryout16.com)

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