It’s tough out there these days. It’s always been tough out there.
Unfortunately, the world can be a very cruel, inhospitable and unfair place. We are constantly inundated with negativity, hate, oppression, disease and other maladies. If you don’t allow yourself the proper defense it doesn’t take long to get sucked into the downward spiral that is constantly being fueled.
But the world is also a beautiful place. It is full of compassion, goodwill, generosity, and angels that walk among us. However, a lot of people miss the fact, because sometimes evil resonates louder than good. Especially when you lack the tools needed to confront the former.
The good news is that a tool does exist. It is available to all of us. It can tilt the playing field. It’s been around forever and has proven effective. Yet, it remains completely underutilized and ignored by most.
Prayer.
Critics are quick to mock the phrase “thoughts and prayers” always using the same tired and erroneous misconceptions that prayer won’t reverse what has already happened. They are missing the point of prayer. They are also probably guilty of never truly embracing prayer either.
Prayer doesn’t necessarily right the wrongs or make problems disappear, but it does provide peace, understanding, a path forward, and a promise for God’s love. The Bible is inundated with teachings that point to prayer as the armor of God.. Prayer is described as a divine weapon to tear down strongholds; a source of peace, protection, and deliverance; and even a force that changes outcomes.
[Someone can deny the teachings of the Bible all he or she wants to, but it won’t change the fact that it’s true].
if you truly do want to combat evil in this world, then why would you not want to embrace the most powerful tool at your disposal?
When I was lying in a hospital bed fighting for my life after my injury, my dad shared with me something that the hospital chaplain shared with him:
Only God can move mountains. But prayer can move God.
You don’t need a reason to pray, but now is certainly a good time.
Stand Strong!
Scott
Thank you for this reflective “stop and think” post, Scott. Reading it brought Mother Teresa to mind, who said “The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace.”
Scott,
Charlie would whole heartedly agree with all you said. Me too!
Amen, Scott. I know that prayer helped me through my two cancer diagnosis. It’s a strong weapon for peace. Because peace can be good medicine for the body and soul.
Good morning Scott. Thank you for your post. It definitely hits the spot! God Bless!
Good morning Scott. Thank you for your post. It definitely hits the spot! God Bless!
Thanks Scott. You reminded me of this video that I watched recently from Bishop Barron, whom I love to listen to. How desperately the world needs voices like his.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7hAuVwAoOs
Well said my friend. In October I want to look you up and stop for a visit or give you a call.
Love. Love. Love.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Stand Strong!
I like this saying Scott, maybe by St Bernard?, ” you need to pray like everything depends on God, and work like everything depends on you…” We need prayer and ACTION, especially now. What positive action, I leave up to those much more learned than me. So I will pray for us as a Nation, that we open our hearts and minds to correct solutions in these very troubling times. I am thinking, that just as you were laying in your bed fighting for your life so many years ago, and did not give up, so we all are fighting for our Spiritual lives and values? as a Nation. Thanks for the Post, Scott, good reflection. Dianne
Amen, Scott!! I’ve never understood what others who do not believe in prayer turn to in difficult times—and we all go through them. Thank you for sharing this. It’s beautifully written. Mind if I share it?