Every time I think we’ve hit our limit for tragedy as a society, it seems like something new happens. And there seems like so much to pray for in times of tragedy like these.
This post was actually written in 2016. Then re-written in 2019, after mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso. Here we are in 2020, and nothing is new.
Now there’s a global pandemic raging. Not to mention earthquakes, tornados, riots, government unrest, and other illness.
We pray so that things get better, right? So things get resolved and wrapped up neatly with a bow, and stay that way? I’m sure we all want that.
But it doesn’t always work that way. It doesn’t feel like everything has been resolved in the years since then. In a lot of ways things feel more conflicting and confusing.
You know what has changed for the better? My trust in God.
It has only grown in these years. Why? Because relying on God and choosing faith over fear is a decision we keep on making. Life doesn’t get any easier. But it does get easier to rely on God when we keep choosing him.
Prayer entrusts our deepest desires to God. Sometimes they even change the plan and things go the way we hope. We pray for times of tragedy to cease.
But even if not the way or when we expect – prayer also fixes our eyes on him. It changes our hearts to see past the current situation, to look up instead of around. It gives us a solid anchor to hold onto in a raging storm.
And then whatever comfort we receive from God overflows from us to others. (2 Corinthians 1 talks about this.) God works powerfully to spread joy and peace, even if we can’t find the comfort to have and give on our own.
Prayer quietly moves mountains.
Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-13), and I can understand why. They must have seen the miracles Jesus did after he prayed; they must have been familiar with his long, intimate times with God in prayer.
These people probably looked at their own prayer lives and shook their heads in confusion. I feel the same way.
Prayer is a powerful thing. It’s powerful for us, because it changes our hearts and our perspectives. It helps us to see the world as God sees it – and I’m sure he is grieving more than anyone for the ongoing tragedies.
The Bible notes how prayer is powerful and effective (James 5:16), and that it can even move God’s heart and change plans (Exodus 32). Things happen because of prayer. I won’t say it shouldn’t be accompanied by action, but it’s a great place to start. And continue and end.
Still, it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are some things to pray for in the wake of tragedy:
The people whose lives have been impacted.
I can’t even imagine the turmoil, the terror, the pain, the stress, the fear that is hitting people in these uncertain times. While I can’t always personally encourage someone who has been through it, from the flip side, it is so comforting for me to know people are praying for me when I’m going through trouble. It’s a gift I can give them, even if I don’t know them. It’s a way to give my heart to them.
In particular, I’ve been praying for the people whose lives have been interrupted – people in the middle of moving, changing jobs, adoption, are battling other illnesses, etc. I can’t imagine being delayed from important things, without answers or end in sight.
Pray for peace, for joy, for comfort from God. Pray for their needs to be met.
Also, I really appreciate these words from shooting survivor Taylor Schumann. She shares more detailed ways on how to pray for survivors of tragedy.
The people at ground zero, dealing with the immediate problems and the aftermath.
That includes hospitals, doctors, nurses, policemen, and all first responders to have the skills and supplies they need to help people at this time.
These days, “ground zero” is re-defined to include the people who come in contact with all of us and keep us functioning as a society – the grocery store workers, janitors, postal workers, and more. Not to mention teachers adapting to new technology outside the classroom, the unlikely homeschool parents, the people figuring out how to work from home (and some with kids), and more.
Pray that they and their families stay safe, healthy, and strong. Pray that they have the resources they desperately need, and the insight to make the best choices.
The communities that are shaken up by the tragedy.
Whole communities (and these days, countries) are affected in times like these. Life as we know it is shaken up. People are losing jobs and in need of help for basic necessities.
You can almost breathe the fear and anxiety in the air when tragedy hits locally.
Pray that the communities get what they need to heal and succeed again, and that individuals and businesses can get back up and running. Pray that we can support and help each other, engaging, not dividing; and that our eyes are open and hands ready to give to the needs.
Our kids.
This is a shaky time for them. School is cancelled, routines are disrupted, everyone is home. They can’t see friends or their teachers. Parents are stressed, which passes on to their kids.
Pray for them to be safe and healthy. Pray that they can go through this time with little anxiety and happy memories.
Lawmakers and government officials.
We pray for them to act wisely, to make the right calls in tough times, to do everything in their power to prevent tragedies like this from happening.
Any way you stack it, whatever you believe, whether you like them or not, people in government have to make tough decisions every day for the good of our country. We can and should pray for them. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 talks about this.)
Pray for them to do what is right and best. Pray that they act for the good of our countries, that they use the resources well, that they work well with other people, governments and organizations to come to solutions.
The people who are angry and afraid.
Uncertainty breeds fear, and fear can breed desperation. Desperate people can go to extremes.
Pray for peace and joy in this time, for people to seek God for answers. Pray that mental and physical and emotional needs can be met.
A particular prayer request, while so many of us are at home, is for the people living in abusive households. Pray that they can be safe at this time, and that they are able to find support and help if they need it.
Peace and healing in our world, as much as possible.
Sometimes people choose to believe that tragedies are God’s way of teaching us a lesson. But I believe it’s because our world isn’t heaven. It’s broken, decaying, fragile. It’s wearing out.
God intervenes, sometimes in ways we can’t see. But sometimes tragedy happens, too, tragedy that hits all too close to home.
Pray for peace and healing. Pray for the opportunity for more people to get to know the God who IS perfect and doesn’t change, get weary, or fall short.
For God to be glorified during and after tragedy, and for people to turn to him.
Mr. Rodgers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always see people who are helping.'”
I love this quote, and I really think the heart of God shines through it. No matter how many tragedies happen, it is amazing to see how much compassion and giving overflows afterwards. This is significant to pray for in times of tragedy.
Pray for the people who are helping. Pray that their compassion and hearts continue to point back to God.
How about you?
Do you have a hard time praying in times like these? How does prayer make an impact for you? What do you pray for in times of tragedy?
Photo Credit:
1 – My own
2 – Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash
3 – Justin Aikin on Unsplash
This is such a great post Jenn. I feel so helpless sometimes when I think about this tragedy, and like I need to DO something, but this is a great reminder that prayer really is doing something. I love that you included the shooter’s family and others filled with hate in your list–those are probably the hardest people to pray for, yet they really need our prayers!!