On Thoughts and Prayers

Many of you are frustrated with the response to repeated tragedies in our world being "sending thoughts and prayers." I understand the frustration behind the reaction.

I get it.

The problem, however, with "thoughts and prayers" is not the thoughts and prayers. The problem is a lack of understanding of their purpose. Many offering those sentiments think the thoughts and prayers are their actions in response, but this reveals a profound misunderstanding of the purpose of either thinking or praying.

And my concern is for those of you frustrated with the sentiment-flingers who are people of faith. Some of the angry responses border on asserting that prayer makes no difference and is ineffective. Prayer is a central Christian spiritual discipline. I don't want you to lose this incredibly important spiritual practice because of their ignorance and your frustration. 

Since the problem is misunderstanding the nature of prayer and the purpose of thoughts, let's unpack them. This won't take long. Stay with me.

Prayer is not like putting in a spiritual work order ticket and then waiting for the Great Repairman in the Sky to come fix the problem of which you've made God aware. Nope! Prayer is not like that. Your irritation with these sentiments means that internally you already know this.

Prayer is a conversation--a TWO-WAY conversation. There are several kinds of prayer conversations.

• • Sometimes prayer is a friendly chat. Delightful chatter fills the time. You've enjoyed catching up. Good time, all around.
  • Other times prayer is like having that dear friend who just sits with you in your moment of distress. Our words come in the form of tears or sighs, and our friend doesn't lecture or judge. Our friend knows we aren't ready to talk about it yet and their comforting presence is all that is needed right then.
  • Then there are times when prayer is more like a conversation with that wise, mentor who always helps you be better. You share the situation and the mentor offers advice or asks for clarification. The mentor makes statements that help you more accurately understand the situation and gain clarity around your role in it. Possible actions are considered and then, with more wisdom inside you, you choose the way forward.

When there is a crisis in our lives or world, quiet companionship may be required for a season, but eventually, wisdom and action are required. If you have a wonderful meeting with a mentor, but never act on any of the insights you gained, your meeting was a waste of time. Prayer helps you find the way forward, but you must act on the way forward that you discerned. 

One of the metaphors for Christians is the Body of Christ. As the Body of Christ, we are to continue the work Jesus was doing when he was on earth. Jesus taught (by example and word) and healed (bodies and ways of thinking). Jesus taught about many subjects and delivered his messages in several ways. He used stories, proverbial statements, the catechetical method, and even debate. He healed in a variety of ways, too--with a word, a touch, or an action. Prayer helps us recognize what needs to be healed and the method that should be used. Prayer helps us discover what we should teach--with our words and with our actions. 

Thoughts are similar. The purpose of thinking is to decide. Thinking without ever deciding, or doing what you decided, makes the time spent thinking useless.

When someone says, "thoughts and prayers," they are indicating that they intend to engage in their process of meeting with their Mentor (God) and figuring out how to respond. The MEETING isn't the solution. The meeting isn't the solution. Rather it is how the solution will be found.

Don't disregard the importance of prayer and thoughtfulness in responding. Instead, call out those who are claiming to have a meeting with God, but never do, and those who never act on any possible solution.

I'm suggesting that instead of saying things like: * Prayer doesn't work; do something that does! * Stop praying and get to work. * Prayers are useless.

Let's say things like: * I want to know what you hear God saying when you prayed about it. * What course of action did God lead you to take? *What example of this did prayer help you find in the life of Jesus? * Now that you've gotten with the One who can best help you make a plan, share that plan with us. * That's great! Tell me what God said to you and I'll tell you what God said to me.

I think most of you know that prayer can be powerful. I just don't want use to imply to others (and ourselves) that it isn't by the way we respond.

Prayer + Action = Body of Christ → Transformation and Healing