Early Sunday morning, as I drove into town to pick up the paper, I listened to a local broadcast from Happy Church, just inside the underground loop. As the world slowly woke up, the Minister delivered a message that caught my attention. “We can never win the war in Iraq.” This reflection resonated with me and provided food for thought.
Historically, World Wars I and II were fought with overwhelming global support, and their conclusions marked victories for both military and moral causes. However, recent conflicts (South Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and now Iraq) have not followed the same path. We can overwhelm countries through sheer military power, but can we really win their hearts? Our president has embroiled this country in a complex and long-term struggle, a tangle of “tar babies” that will not easily go away. Questions remain. How can we earn the love and respect of a nation when violence dominates interactions? Will foreign aid, or even the goodwill of Peace Corps personnel, be enough? When will everything be resolved? All car bombs have guided missiles. Every time an innocent life is lost, there is another victim in the cycle of hatred.
Coincidentally, our pastor touched on this very question. How can we accomplish the difficult task of giving godly love to others, especially when faced with such conflicts? As I listened, the familiar Bible verses echoed again: Matthew 5:43-48. In this passage, Jesus says, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you.” It’s a fundamental concept. As hate begets hate and violence escalates, Jesus calls for something revolutionary: to return love in the face of hate. Love those who already love you, but also pray for those who persecute you.
But how do we do this? Most of us do not have the opportunity to visit foreign countries or participate directly in international struggles, but we still have the powerful tool of prayer. I am. In today’s world, the importance of prayer has diminished, and in many ways, society has lost touch with this simple but profound act. As believers, we have neglected the constant and deep communion with God that should be at the center of our lives. What a huge loss this is, and for some, irreparable. The Father speaks through His Word. To truly listen, we must take time to pray.
An old hymn reminds us:
“Pray in the morning, pray in the afternoon, pray in the evening, pray anytime. Pray when you are happy, pray when you are sad, pray when you are tempted, pray always.”
(Songs of Faith and Praise, #821)
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 we are called to: Pray without ceasing. ”Prayer, like love, should never be limited to convenient moments. Psalm 4:2-3 goes on to ask: “How long will your hearts be heavy? Why do you seek vain things? Why do you chase after illusions?” This psalm reminds us that God is working wonderfully for those whom he has chosen. He reminds us that He hears us when we call on Him. During these difficult times, we must fill all our prayers with the hope that our Heavenly Father will lead us to resolve conflicts and that one day world peace will become a reality.
There’s a story in the 1950 film The High and the Mighty starring John Wayne and Robert Stack. The trans-Pacific flight ran into trouble, with an engine failure and the crew bracing for the possibility of a forced landing at sea. Passengers were understandably upset, but stewardesses handed out life jackets and instructions while offering free drinks to calm the nerves. At one seat, a man bent down and clasped his hands together in a pious prayer. A stewardess stopped beside him and asked, “Sir, would you like a drink?” He looked up a little and said, “No, thank you, I don’t have time for that!”
As with many moments in life, this story reminds us of the urgency and need for prayer, especially in times of great uncertainty. While the world offers distractions, options that can be comforting or even numbing, we must instead focus on our connection to God. After all, prayer is not a last resort, but a first response.
The conflicts we see today may seem insurmountable. The Iraq War and the ongoing tensions around the world are not battles that can be won through military force alone. Love and prayer are powerful tools that transcend borders and reach people’s hearts in ways that missiles and foreign aid cannot. Perhaps the real battle is not just over land and resources, but also over human hearts and minds.
Ultimately, we are called to be perfect, just as our Heavenly Father is perfect. We are called to love beyond the simple and familiar and to pray not only for those we love, but also for those we consider to be our enemies. It is a tall order, but it is in these acts of love and prayer that we truly reflect God, bringing light to the darkest corners of the world, one prayer at a time.
