We live in times when terror activities are happening at escalating rates in different parts of the world. How should we respond as Christians? The Bible teaches us to pray for our enemies (Matt 5:44), and focus on the Sovereign God. The answers to the challenges we face today can only be found by focusing not on ourselves but on God. And so like the disciples of Jesus we need to ask God to teach us how to pray, Lk 11:1. In our prayers we need to praise God for who He is, give thanks for the things He does and promises, confess our sins, and present our petitions to Him.

PRAISE THE LORD GOD–

• Praise the Lord of Hosts who commands armies of the heaven.
• Praise Him who is the great Warrior; for his great power to subdue his enemies.
• Praise him for the victory he gives to his servants and the church.

GIVE THANKS–

• Thank God for the hope he gives even in the midst of confusing times.
• Thank God for he is accomplishing something new to those who love him even through terrorism; Rom 8:28.
• Thank God for the remnant saints in those terrorist stricken areas; and the fact that despite numerous challenges and persecution the gospel is growing and bearing fruit everywhere in the world.
• Thank God for the victory he promises to his loved ones.
• Thank God for those heroes of faith who have courageously stood strong till the end.

CONFESSION–

• For the times the church has not lived up to its mission to the world as it should.
• Ask for forgiveness of sins- Many times a talk on terrorism generates a lot of emotion toward particular groups. Some negative emotions can lead us to sin in our speech, thoughts, and views by expressing hate and resentment.

SUPPLICATION-

Pray for the defeat of these terror groups– Pray the lament (like Ps 28, 70) prayers and imprecatory (like Ps 35, 109) Psalms. Don’t fear to pray for God to judge and repay the wicked for their evil. Pray for the defeat of God’s enemies as promised in scriptures (Ps 2).

Pray for ‘Damascus experience’ to the terrorists– Terrorism is a problem of the heart. No one was born a terrorist. Terrorism is a deception of the devil and zeal without knowledge. Pray that the light of Christ will shine upon the individual terrorists destined for salvation.

Pray “Your kingdom come” and “your will be done”– In Christ’s incarnation and inauguration of the church the kingdom is come in part. Pray Maranatha, for the full revelation of Gods kingdom- a kingdom that is characterized by justice, righteousness, joy, peace, and justice. Pray that God’s will be done even with the immigration situation today.

Pray for the universal body of Christ– Pray that the church will continually be strengthened, grow, faithful to its mission, and have endurance.  Pray for the unity of church and believers.

Pray for the government (s) to assume their divine role– Pray for that the government in its efforts to stop radicalization of young people, and bring to justice criminals and terrorists. Pray for the government as it seeks to accomplish its God-given mandate as an, “agent of wrath to bring punishment on the evil doer” Rom 13:4.

Pray for security forces in our cities and countries– Pray for their protection, effectiveness and more so their families. Pray for true security from above, “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain” Ps 127:1.

Pray for the victims of war– Many innocent lives suffer while others perish, families are separated, property destroyed, vulnerable people displaced and forced to be refugees in foreign lands. Pray that in hopelessness that they will find hope in Christ.

Pray for missionaries and other humanitarian workers in “risk” areas– Pray for protection and sufficient grace to those who have risked their lives to serve in war zones.

Pray for young people– That they will not be lured to the Islamic radicalization. The evil one always seeks to establish a stronghold among the young generation.

Pray for our love as Christians to increase- Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, Matt 5:44. Obviously, it is easier to pray for a friend than an enemy or someone who derives joy from murdering innocent people. Pray that the love of believers will abound more and more in knowledge and deep insight.

Pray for spiritual wisdom in understanding the times– Pray for Christians to have knowledge of the times (evil times, Eph 5:16) and understand how to respond; to be like men of Issachar who, understood the times and knew what Israel should do, 1 Chron 12:32. Pray that our inner eyes be opened to see the things God is accomplishing amidst prevalence of evil. Pray that God fills his people with the knowledge of his will. Pray that believers will continue yield to the Spirit and live lives worthy of the Lord and please his in every way.

Pray that Christians will pray– This sounds out of context but it is important. In perplexing times, it is very easy to respond with fear, unbelief, worry, and pessimistic attitude and forget the role we ought to take. Pray that the church will be vigilant in prayer. “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil4:5-7.