Pray for the World

By Marjorie Foerster Eddington

Sometimes we may not think that our prayers or thoughts make a difference in world events. But they do.

When we hear about disturbing events such as the Russia/Ukraine situation or the missing airplane from Malaysia, what do we do? When we see media icons, music pop stars, or athletes who have a huge influence on the teen population and could be heroes, but instead degrade women, promote sensuality and sex, condone cheating by doping, or smoke pot on stage, what do we do?

Do we get upset and complain? Or do we pray? We pray, and we affirm that our prayers are effective. How could this be true? We read in the Bible, "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results" (James 5:16 NLT). This Bible individuals prove true.

Aside from what we know about the effective prayers of Jesus, the disciples, the prophets, and the patriarchs, there are studies and documentaries that have revealed the power of thought. Quantum physicists have convincingly proved that what we choose to observe affects the state of the system. Our choice makes a difference. The documentary, What the Bleep, shows that happy, positive thoughts have positive influences even on water crystals, while negative thoughts produce negative effects. The documentary I Am shows how even the way we treat our friends and our family can affect someone else on the other side of the planet.

So here are some ways that we could go about praying.

We identify everyone as a child of God. God made man (men and women) in His "image and likeness" (Gen 1:26). That means all of us. No one is excluded. The New Testament tells us, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God" (I John 3:2 KJV). Not later. Not never. Now.

That includes the "bad guys." Jesus was very clear: "Love your enemies" (Matt 5:44). And if we love them, then we stop seeing them as enemies.

We trust that God is in control of the situation. The 91st Psalm is wonderful for this. God is our "refuge," delivering and protecting all, especially those who are in harm's way. God has given "His angels charge over you," over me, over those who are lost, over all.

We pray for the families who are in the way of danger, who have missing loved ones, or who have lost loved ones. Our hearts go out to them. We support them with our love, prayers, and however else we can. We turn whole-heartedly to God to see that no one is ever outside of God's love. There's no place that our loved ones can go where God cannot find them. We can say with Paul,

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38, 39 NLT)

We pray for those "in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God" (1 Tim 2:2 CEV).

We pray for those who are being oppressed so they can find freedom. When Peter was put into prison, "prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him" (Acts 12:5 KJV). As a result, he was freed!

We trust that God can make Himself heard and that people can hear God's voice and do the right thing at the right time. We pray that they can have answers of peace from "the still small voice" which was not in the earthquake, wind, or fire (1 Kings 19:12 KJV).

As people of faith, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to pray for our world. Prayer is the most powerful tool in the world, and it definitely has a lasting effect.