Are you tired of the news lately? Or are you avoiding them all together? Because they are so depressing and devastating? Or do you have a powerful urge to run to the other direction and pretend the bad things don’t exist? Denial does not work. But there is another option.

Because of Christ we have a change to be part of transforming the world.
Because of Christ we are able to do something to make things better.
Because of Christ we are not helpless in the face of terror.

Listen to me, Lord, and answer me,
    for I am helpless and weak.
² Save me from death, because I am loyal to you;
    save me, for I am your servant and I trust in you.
(Psalm 86:1-2, GNT,*)

How then are we to react to horrible news? By praying the news. By bringing the situation and our fears to God. That way we invite God into the midst of our troubles. That way the divine forces get into work on our behalf. That way we can prevent the attacks of the evil in the world. That way – instead of slumping into denial or depression – we become agents of transformation. How powerful is that?

It is so easy to retreat. It is so easy to go in denial. It is so easy to get frustrated. And do nothing. But that’s exactly what the devil wants so he’d have more room to play. We are called to fight the good fight of the faith.

You are my God, so be merciful to me;
    I pray to you all day long.
⁴ Make your servant glad, O Lord,
    because my prayers go up to you.
⁵ You are good to us and forgiving,
    full of constant love for all who pray to you.
(Psalm 86:3-5, GNT,*)

Praying the news is more important than we can imagine. If we do nothing, the evil in the world gets stronger. But if we read the newspaper prayerfully, we are part of God’s troops in this world.

Because when we pray, miracles happen.
When we pray, we build up the good in the world.
When we pray, we are messengers of hope.

⁶ Listen, Lord, to my prayer;
    hear my cries for help.
⁷ I call to you in times of trouble,
    because you answer my prayers.
(Psalm 86:6-7, GNT,*)

You see, no matter how bad the news are, the good news of Jesus Christ wins hands down. Because of Jesus, we don’t have anything to fear. Jesus conquered all evil and death on the cross. But we are not in paradise yet. Evil rages until Jesus comes back. Meanwhile we are called to pray. Because prayer is a mighty powerful weapon of transformation. We are changing the world one prayer at a time.

By praying the news we are transformed into agents of hope.
By praying the news we are fighting against the evil.
By praying the news we are making a difference.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for providing us a way to fight the evil in the world.
Thank you for calling us to partner with you.
Empower our prayers, Lord.
Show us how to pray the news.
Make us your agents of transformation.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U:  Are you praying the news? How does is change your view on the news and the world?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you change the world by praying the news!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Kaitlin McMichael, design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Faith-filled Fridays, Five Minute Friday and Faith Jam.