In difficult times, we can choose to focus on what is good, to speak about good. It’s especially helpful when we’re dealing with things beyond our control!
Have you ever listened to two people talking about a hot topic? What began as a simple “discussion” turned into a heated argument! Everyone is entitled to make their own choices. But we must remember that differences of opinion have the potential to divide family, friends, and groups. For good to prevail, we must go back to the foundation of things we can agree on and allow God’s Spirit to preserve unity through the bond of peace.
I remember one year when many people were surprised and subsequently upset at the results of an election. Tension was high and tempers flared. What can we do when people react with uncharacteristic anger? We can seek to exhibit patience, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Humanly speaking, that’s not easy. But with God’s help, we can allow His Spirit in us to show His love through us.
In these times of unprecedented events across our country, many people are anxious about what might happen next. We pray for peace. So how would that look realistically? Jesus told us He would give us His peace, but that we should not allow our hearts to be troubled.1 We would experience trouble (like illness, storms, battles, and unexpected loss). But Jesus also said He had already overcome the world! 2 If we believe and trust in Him, He will get us through these storms of life.
How can good prevail when we face evil things in this world? Our instructions from the Bible tell us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 3 How can we do that?
In the aftermath of horrendous hurricanes, thousands of volunteers flocked to places like Ashville, NC. They brought food for the hungry, tools to rebuild, and love in Jesus’ name. One tearful recipient responded, “We’re not crying because of what we lost; we’re crying because love showed up.” We can all find ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to care for people as He would.
Instead of rehashing the negative, the best and most far-reaching thing we can do for good to prevail is to pray, pray, pray! Prayer is more powerful when we pray the words of Scripture. For every problem, there is a Scriptural answer to offset the bad. If you really want to do something to help unstable situations, PRAY! So how do we pray in the face of rage, retaliation, deception, or division?
To guide your prayers, I’ve compiled a ready-to-use list of Scripture prayers for each of these circumstances and more! (See below to read & download) When you are fearful, frustrated, or uncertain, go to God’s word. Because prayer is one of the best ways to help good to prevail.
PRAYER IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA!
1 John 14:27; 2 John 16:33; 3 Romans 12:21
Eight Scripture Prayers to Bring Us Together
In place of anger and rage, we pray for Your love, which is patient, kind, not self-seeking or easily angered, love that rejoices with the truth, protecting, and trusting (1 Cor. 13:4-7). Lord, please fill us with Your kindness, compassion, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:31, 32).
In place of deception, we pray for Your truth. Jesus, You are the truth that sets us free. Lord, all your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal (John 8:32; Ps. 119:160).
In place of division, we pray for unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, as we share one hope, one faith, and one God (Eph. 4:1-6). We seek to unselfishly look to the interests of others, using our gifts for the common good (Phil. 2, 1 Cor. 12). May the Body of Christ be drawn together to pray together (Acts 2:42, 4:24).
In place of skepticism, and doubt, O God, we pray for faith in who You are: our Refuge, Savior, and King. We choose to walk by faith, not by sight. We put our hope in Your trustworthy word, which never passes away (2 Corinthians 5:7, Psalm 119:114, Matthew 24:35). We believe that all things are possible with God! (Mark 10:27).
In place of spirits of revenge, retaliation, and rebellion, we pray for reconciliation. Lord, we choose to trust in Your words, “‘Vengeance is mine,’ says the Lord, ‘I will repay” (Romans 12:19). You tell us to strive to live in peace with all people, to overcome evil with good, to live in peace with all people, as much as we can (Romans 12:18,21). Please help us to be reconciled to You and to each other, as we pray together.
In place of pride, arrogance, and presumption, we pray for humility. Father God, You have told us that the one You esteem is the person who is humble and contrite in spirit (Isaiah 66:2).
In place of fear, we pray for Your peace, which comes from complete trust in You, giving us a steadfast mind (Isaiah 23:6). We choose to focus on You, Jesus, and Your peace. We will not let our hearts be troubled, because You have already overcome the world (John 14:1,27, 16:33).
In place of our own ideas, we choose to trust in Your complete, inerrant Holy word—our foundation, authority, and guidebook (Psalm 19:7-11). Your words will never pass away (Mark 13:31). Help us hear Your voice and obey it by the power of Your Holy Spirit. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). Compiled by JoAnne D. Jones, West Granby, CT
Excellent. When these things begin to happen “Look up for your redemption is nigh”