The Protest of Prayer

I am always very reticent to speak directly into current events for fear of being misunderstood, but from time to time, a pastoral reminder is needed.  I don’t issue this pastoral reminder from a position of pride, but one of human weakness and failures in my own efforts to do what God calls me to. In this regard, I am reminded of the promises of the gospel of grace for me and for all of us who are clinging to the cross of Christ alone as we try to make our way through confusing and difficult matters.

This week in our congregational prayer meeting we read the words of the Apostle Paul as he gave counsel to Timothy, the young pastor of the church of Ephesus, regarding a number of things.  In particular, the section we were focusing on had to do with Paul’s counsel to the church regarding how it interacted with the power structures of its day.

Before we look at the words of I Timothy we should take a moment to recall that the power of the day was the Roman Empire which history tells us was, along with some of its virtues, riddled with the worship of false gods, gross sexual immorality, violence and injustice.

In light of this, one might have imagined that Paul would’ve called the church to stand up and fight for its rights and make demands for changes to public policy through public protestation.  But notice what Paul actually says to the believers in Ephesus in I Timothy 2:1-5.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, ² for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Let me just point out a few important things.

First, he exhorts believers to pray for everyone, including pagan and unjust powers. Second, he indicates that it is the quiet and peaceful life accompanied by holy living and dignity that is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.  And third, the reason that he proscribes this course of action in the face of injustice and ungodliness is that it is the very best route toward winning the attention of the unbeliever to a hearing of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Fast forward to today.

We too are living in a secular age and we are governed (in large part) by secular thinking and, at least, secularized people.  In many cases we are witness to clear injustice in the systems of our society.  We also see gross immorality and violence and bigotry. Our age, I think we could agree, is not significantly different than that of the first century Roman empire in terms of its moral quality.

But as I look around today, I am seeing fewer and fewer Christian people taking the counsel of Paul in regard to how we position ourselves within this world.  Instead of living quiet and godly lives full of the protest of prayer, more and more Christian people (especially in the younger generations) have determined that the way to real change is through public protest, placards, facebook diatribes and civil disobedience. Earnest and faithful christian people are joining in protest movements more than ever while at the same time church prayer meetings remain miniscule in size.

I applaud the deep convictions of those who are willing to join in these protests and do not wish to question their motives at all but what, may I humbly ask, is the impact of this on those on the opposite side of various issues than us when we protest?

Consider the answer for yourself. When you see someone holding a pro-abortion sign or refusing to stand for the national anthem or blocking city streets to traffic (let alone perpetrating an act of violence) to protest government positions on refugees or the rights of minorities does it make you feel empathy and concern for the movement being represented?  No! Even if you agree with the concern, the method of drawing attention to it often makes you more rigid and more angry and more unwilling to listen.  Dare we consider that the reverse may also be true?  When a pro-abortion advocate sees christians marching for life (the right cause for sure!) and carrying placards decrying the sin of abortion do we think it softens their heart toward us and the rights of the unborn or makes them more rigid?

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not against marches or carrying signs and I surely and certainly am not for abortion, racism or the mistreatment of refugees. What I am against is the insipid conviction that it is marching and protests and placards and civil disobedience (even to the point of violence) that are going to win people’s hearts to good and righteous causes let alone the grand and glorious cause of the gospel of Christ Jesus.

Instead of a movement of protest, we need a fresh movement of prayer. Instead of a movement of angry marches we need a movement of dignified godliness (I Tim. 2:1-5). Instead of publicly marching to plead for our civil rulers to change the system we need to plead with God to change their hearts and ours (2 Chron. 7:14). And if we believe that marching and carrying a sign can go along with this, then carry on!  Only, make sure you do not, as a believer, allow yourself to be confused with those who are radically opposed to the cause of Christ in their conviction and methods (2 Cor. 6:14).

What Paul says to Timothy above is that what will truly change hearts is when people who do not agree with you on an issue see you bowed in humility, gentleness and authentic care and service of others.  Perhaps then they might actually be willing to let you speak instead of shouting you down.  And if they do shout you down, Jesus has spoken about that too (See Matt. 5).