Reacting to the World's Brokenness

I think we all have a lot to say about what has been going on in the world - shootings, terrorism, violence.  The brokenness of the world causes us to want to speak out. The brokenness of the world causes us to want to voice our opinions.

I’ve watched YouTube videos with people saying, “We don’t need prayers, we need actions.”  Then I feel conflicted on if my prayers matter or not.  I’ve read articles on speaking out as a Disciple of Christ during these times.  End of story….I don’t have a final conclusion of the “right” thing to say and the “right” time to say them.  But I feel I have a good conclusion.

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I read this prayer:

Dear God, help me to put aside the things that are breaking my heart, to pray about things that break Yours.

Here are my conclusions on this:

First of all, my “things” that are breaking my heart, will seem much smaller compared to what breaks God’s hearts. This doesn’t mean they don’t matter, it means that they are less important. Remember God is what we are prioritizing. In comparison to mass shootings and hate, my work stress, my doubt, my guilt, are nothing. God cares about them still, seeing me stressed saddens Him. But….

I’ll see that my “things” aren’t bringing Him glory (there are exceptions because I think some of my “things” are “things” He put on my heart). We were created to bring Him glory. And the “things” that break our heart should be about glorifying Him.

When we pray about the things that break His heart, we’ll be called to action. But if we speak and act prematurely, then we aren’t bringing Him glory. If we speak and act before prayer, then really we are doing our “things” that are breaking our hearts, not His.

The broken world, needs our prayers - before we speak and act. But prayer (both the saying AND listening parts) come first.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

--John 16:33