I was reading an article from an online journal about the needs and concerns of churches in Joplin, Missouri, including those of Peace Lutheran Church. Their building was completely destroyed in the large tornado on May 22. The article was peppered with references to prayer, people praying for strength to deal with the aftermath, for missing and grieving people, and for the means to rebuild. Leaders and congregations outside the area were pledging their prayer for the Joplin churches.
The comments below the article were painful and disheartening. Those without faith were scoffing at the apparent ineffectiveness of prayer, and of people who pray. How effective were prayers in preventing the tornadoes, destruction and death? Where was your God, then? They argued that Christians ask God to take care of it so that they can feel better about sitting back, and doing nothing else. There were some that stated that secular relief agencies (i.e. Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, etc.) and individual humanitarians are the ones who do the majority of “real work,” providing the best and unqualified aid to disaster sights and world needs.
Of course, the faithful responders dished out some pretty nasty retorts.
I had to respond. First, this polemical attitude prevails in too many arenas. It is not helpful. Yes, Christianity and other religions can be justifiably accused of many horrible things. In times and places we have been too passive and have rationalized and excused ourselves from taking effective action. We are justly accused of paying lip service when God would want us to pray with our resources, hands and bodies. There have been times when we have qualified our love and care, expecting or demanding conversion, or adequate signs of humility or gratitude.
It is also true that bad things happen to people who pray, and to the people for whom we pray. Our antagonists have many and good reasons to accuse and scoff. We can confess this.
However, this is not the whole story, is it? From where did most “secular relief agencies” get their starts? Who are the primary supporters, donors, and volunteers? Some have this impression that the majority of churches and Christians pray their way out of responsibility. Many do the opposite. Prayer leads us to action. In fact, social action is a part of our prayer-life. This is a major way in which we speak to God. Praying people pool their resources into amazing relief efforts in communities and around the world. I would argue that the largest share of it is unqualified and compassionate care that expects nothing in return, except a prayerful hope for a better world or community.
Much of it is directed through great agencies like the Red Cross and others. Moreover, if efficiency (percentage of resources used for direct aid) is the measuring stick, very few agencies can match the work of Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services, United Methodist Committee on Relief, and the like. For instance, because of its unqualified care and efficiency, our government channels millions of its relief dollars through Lutheran World Relief!
On a related note, I am hoping that we will be able to join a few nearby congregations in responding to recent natural disasters in the South. One of my pastor-friends is serving as a point person and keeping several of us in the loop on a couple leads. We may have one or more opportunities to send a team of adults from our congregations to a disaster sight as early as this June, and/or later toward fall.
In this and all things, please be a praying people: for our congregations, our Community Meals and local Food Banks, for our larger Church-wide organizations and relief agencies (secular or not), for the people of the South, the congregations, those grieving, rebuilding. Prayerfully consider joining a mission effort.
God’s blessings, Pastor Greg
