Like so many, I’ve been shocked and grieved by the images of twisted bodies and reports of murdered children in Israel. One thing we can do as God’s people is pray. Here are a handful suggestions for how to pray: 1 Raise a lamentation. We’re so quick to search for answers and assign blame when terror strikes. Perhaps the first thing we should do is lament. Cry out to God on behalf of the suffering. There are Israeli and Palestinian Christians caught in the carnage. Pray for their deliverance, and cry out to God in sorrow for the horrible atrocities committed by Hamas. Psalm 89:46-48 How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man! What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah 2 Pray for world leaders. Pray that God gives the leaders of the world wisdom and courage. Wisdom to guide this conflict into peace. Courage to punish evil wherever it rears it’s ugly head. That a unified commitment to justice would put an end to terrorism, and that the world’s leaders would exhibit moral clarity and resolve for the sake of justice and peace. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 Pray for the families of the innocent. Pray for the grieving families, that God would bring them comfort and healing in the midst of horrific and traumatic loss. That the evil they’ve experienced wouldn’t harden their hearts, but that somehow God might bring light out of this great darkness. Jeremiah 31:15-17 Thus says the LORD: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Thus says the LORD: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the LORD, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country. 4 Pray for justice. That those responsible for the terrible crimes committed would be held accountable. That those who do evil, whether with their own hands or by supporting and enabling others to act would be exposed and forced to stop for the sake of the suffering. Psalm 92:5-9 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O LORD, are on high forever. For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. 5 Pray that the blood thirsty wicked would repent. I can’t help but think of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, who supported the martyrdom of Stephen and actively engaged in persecuting the families of believers. If God could transform his heart, full of bloodlust, then he is able to save those so full of hatred now. Pray that God’s Spirit would quench the fires that burn in the hearts of the wicked, and that they might turn from their sins and embrace Christ. 1 Timothy 1:12-14 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 6 Pray for peace. Oh how the images of war make us long for the day when swords are finally beat into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks. When iron domes and drones will be no more because the kingdom of Christ has come in its fullness. Pray that the peace we anticipate on that day would come in power today. I’ve always loved how the great litany of the liturgy of John Chrysostom begins, “For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.” Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

God often uses our weakest muscles to demonstrate his faithfulness and strength. I hope this piece is encouraging to you:

Why should you be a Christian? Recently I got to have a conversation with the guys from @guiltgracepod to discuss. Spoiler alert: because Christianity is true.

Clip from today’s broadcast: Should churches cancel their worship services on Christmas Day? Answer: No, because you can’t cancel the celebration God is hosting.

Short piece I wrote on trinitarian worship in heaven.