A ‘Mike’ for Christ focuses on purely spiritual and devotional topics. But I would be remiss to imply that current news is not spiritual or doesn’t require the attention of our faith. If anything, what we may never mention should always be interceded for.
The news in the last few months has been a hard bargain, from plane crashes and a dreadful Ebola outbreak to religious genocide and a tragic police encounter and its fallout.
Honestly, I don’t know how to pray about some issues, like these. I hope it’s easier for you, but some stories render me speechless.
For Our World, Mercy
When I first began my prayer life, prayer was impossible to me because I viewed myself as insignificant—“How can my prayer help that?” I don’t have that problem now; instead, it’s more a tactical dilemma. With recent matters, like ISIS’s utterly barbaric rampage against Christians and Yazidis, I’ve gotten overwhelmed.
So I often find myself praying the way a professor explained to my class: “Lord, ______ in thy mercy.” It’s the Kyrie, eleison prayer, basically. “Lord, have mercy.”
Sometimes situations will be unclear, we’ll be powerless to help, and our only reliance will be on those mysterious groans the Holy Spirit produces. It’s in those moments, however, that we can plead for mercy, certainly in times like now.
A 'Mike' for Christ 
I still sometimes feel insignificant when I pray about larger-than-life events, or injustices for which I don’t see solutions. Then I remember that God is so much bigger than my vision, and if He knows my thoughts before I utter them, He certainly hears my prayers. And you are so right, Michael. There is so much going on – in prayer, it does “require the attention of our faith.”
Amen. His vision encompasses every part of the situation, from start to finish, before it began–too amazing! But how wonderful that our prayers have an intricately mysterious role in it all, that he hears even the smallest one. Then, he helps us to say what needs to be said. Wow…I’m getting excited just thinking about it! Thanks for a wonderful comment!
Thank you for sharing- it helped to connect many things scattered in my head and heart. My problem these days is to lean towards praying more for the spiritual healing and not for the physical healing. I know that is not balanced, but I’m not sure how to right that ship. Regardless of my shortcoming, I am drawn to be in constant prayer- which gives Him honor and keeps my heart safe in His presence.
I understand that. It’s an undertone in what I wrote…that although I don’t know how to pray, it doesn’t mean that I don’t and that I’m not inclined to do so. My life is in God and I desire him and his answers. Just sometimes the questions are difficult to form.
Michael, I didn’t think that you were saying you didn’t pray. I was reflecting more on myself. Your post was a great challenge for me to look to the Holy Spirit in how to pray and especially in what you encouraged by saying : Lord, in Thy mercy. I don’t naturally think that way, but am seeing His mercy throughout Scripture in places I didn’t expect it, which confirms that is how I need to start praying.
You are so on when you say that the questions are hard to form. That is where I struggle with praying for the spiritual or the physical. Yet, why am I not doing both? My finite mind needs to do some more surrendering me thinks…again 🙂
We’re on the same page. I know you weren’t thinking that. My point was the assumption that could be inferred from the article…just some point of view articulation. I was happy that you picked up on it and expressed it in your comment. So glad the article helps. Cheers!
“When I first began my prayer life, prayer was impossible to me because I viewed myself as insignificant…” This is the point we need to come to before the God of Heaven in reality when praying and then recognizing that by His grace He had perfected us through Him.
Amen, Levi.
I’ve felt that way much of the time this year, my friend. It is humbling, but puts you in a forced reliance that I think God honors. Does that make sense? From this side, it is no fun. But I constantly see his hand as things come together.
Makes a lot of sense, Mark.