On the Topic of Prayer

Another senseless tragedy occurred today. A gunman shot and killed a large number of folks in a N.Y. town. Many of them were immigrants. As the tragedy unfurled, the news networks covered the reaction of those involved and those responding to the tragedy. I was struck by how often the topic of prayer came up. It came up at the news conference of political officials from Binghamton and N.Y. state; it was referred to by the Vice President in his remarks; it was noted constantly by Glenn Beck as he reported the situation. When tragedy strikes, prayer is one of the key responses public officials request.
Interestingly, there was no outcry from the ACLU or calls for the "separation of church and state." No one said it was a Democratic ploy or mentioned the Republican fascination with the "religious right." No one quoted President Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, fallen evangelical pastor Ted Haggard, or the new cultural/political religious figure Rev. Rick Warren. No one suggested the politicians were simply trying to make points in a poll. It was accepted as a genuine expression of concern. We should pray for those most closely affected by the shootings. It was the right thing to do.
It seems ironic that prayer is viewed in our society as a way to respond to crisis but not a way to prevent it or prepare for it. It does not appear to be a source for changing the future, as Jonah feared it would be with Nineveh (and prayer did change the future of that city). Like preventative medicine, prayer is not always practiced in advance of problems. If Vice President Biden suggested that we should pray for changed hearts so that Al Qaeda terrorists would see the foolishness of their ways and stop their warring ways, he would be roundly criticized for meddling religion with politics. But by asking us to pray for those affected by the violence in N.Y. and that these kinds of senseless shootings should cease, he was quoted as saying something comforting to the nation.
For those who know the true meaning of prayer and are prayer warriors the idea that they can pray before something happens is essential to their concept of the meaning of prayer. Prayer is intended to be the first line of defense not the final act of desperation. Remember the model prayer Jesus gave (often called "The Lord's Prayer")? Note how forward looking it is when it uses phrases like "thy will be done" or "give us this day" or "lead us not" or "deliver us from evil." This is the nature of prayer. It looks to change what is coming not merely cry over what has occurred. If we understood that, we would be praying about upcoming things more than praying for what is already set in stone.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,

the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen