Say a Prayer for the Ways of Men...An Answer(?) to the Syrian Situation

I'll be honest, I don't really understand the complexities of the situation in Syria.  I also feel a huge lack of trust in the government (all branches - all parties) as well as a huge lack of trust in the media (whether CNN, NBC, FOX, CBS, etc.) to really believe much of what any of them are saying.  All I really know is that there are people suffering. Unfortunately I don't know what the answer is to ending this and I'm not sure if anyone else does either.  If we intervene, will we really help or make things worse?  If we don't intervene though, the suffering of the people of Syria is sure to continue.  I'm not going to pretend to have an answer.  What I am going to do is to offer this song by the late Mark Heard that has been on my mind the past couple of days.  Perhaps in it we find the only real answer: "Say a prayer for the ways of men..."
   
                    
                 

I wish that the ways of men were the same as the ways of God,
How is it so our thick little hearts leave the narrow path for the broad?
Leave the narrow path for the broad?

We could fly on the wings of eagles, we could see with the eyes of love,
We could laugh with a childlike lack of concern, for the world would have nothing to fear of.

But fear, we have plenty, and countless are the ways that we deceive,
A peace can be heard on the breath of each morning, by evening the widows will grieve,
By evening the widows will grieve.

So, sing…sing a song for the ones who mourn,
Light a candle for the world war torn,
Find hope in the Lord if your soul is worn,
And say a prayer for the ways of men,
Say a prayer for the ways of the men.

Oh, you wandering souls that are huddled against the harsh wind,
It does no good railing at the evil gale,
Men have died while the devil grin,
Men have died while the devil grin.

So take courage, you pilgrim kind, when the good that you do is mocked,
For the day, it will come when the proud will fall and the ground that they walk on will be rocked,
And the ground that they stand on will be rocked.

Sing…sing a song for the ones who mourn,
Light a candle for the world war torn,
Find hope in the Lord if your soul is worn,
And say a prayer for the ways of men,
Say a prayer for the ways of the men.

Sing…sing a song for the ones who mourn,
And say a prayer for the ways of men,
Say a prayer for the ways of men,
Say a prayer for the ways of men,
Say a prayer for the ways of men.

Prayer without Work

A Prayer For Persecution

During a meeting this week with several pastors one pastor was asked to pray. As he prayed he began to pray for our country and for revival. He then said something that I have never heard before in prayer. He prayed that our nation receive persecution. You read that right. He didn't pray that we would be free of persecution but that we would experience persecution. I admit I was a bit shocked at first to hear someone actually pray for persecution. However, after a second to realize that I heard him correctly I found myself saying, "amen." I knew why he had prayed that. I had after all alluded to the truth of his prayer in many sermons. However, I have never been so bold as to actually pray for persecution.

Now you may ask, why would anyone want persecution? The answer is quite simple. History has shown, current status of the Church around the world shows, and the Bible makes clear that persecution refines the Church. For as often as we pray for revival are we also willing to pray for the persecution? Are we willing to pray that we live sacrificially? Are we willing to pray that we be willing to take up our cross? Are we willing to pray for revival if it also means that we pray to no longer live comfortable, safe lives?

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV)"

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14 ESV)"