“Can praying combat crime?” That was the title of the lead article in our newspaper back in mid-December. (12-11-21)
A small group of ministers met on the banks of the Mississippi River to pray for our city which is the nation’s second-poorest city, and has the second-highest murder rate. They announced that “through an initiative called, “Memphis Prayer 365,” members of 40 churches would be praying one day each month, with members scheduled to pray every minute of that day—to insure that the city is covered in prayer every minute of 2022.” (The Commercial Appeal,12-18-21)
The reporter wrote a long article, I hope honestly and not cynically, questioning the initiative and asking the question, “Can praying combat crime?”
As one who appreciates the writing of this reporter, and taking the question seriously, I respond, “YES.” With my positive, yes, I ask a question, What if there are some things God either cannot, or will not do, until and unless people pray? Please note, I am not challenging the power and sovereignty of God. In fact, I am affirming the fact that in God’s sovereignty, He has chosen to use us persons in His work.
It’s commonplace for us to affirm that God acts through persons. Deeds of mercy, acts of reconciliation, expressions of loving kindness, deliberate righteous activity, performance that makes for peace. We see all these things as God’s work through persons. “God’s will is accomplished through us,” we say, and “on earth his will and his work must be our own.” Why is it such a long leap in our mind to think that God may be as dependent upon our praying as he is upon our acting?
See it in Scripture. It was Israel’s first battle as they confronted the Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17). Joshua commanded the army of Israel and Moses, Aaron and Hur went up on the mountain to pray. It was a dramatic battle, and a seesaw of prevailing power. At one time it would appear that Israel was winning, and then the Amalekites, then Israel, then the Amalekites. Then the issue of battle was decided: whenever Moses lifted up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed; when he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed. Not alone the soldiers on the field of battle, but the intercessors on the mountain made the difference.
Scripture confirms over and over again that there are conditions we are to meet in order for God to act effectively in our lives, and in the life of the world. The classic example of it in the Old Testament is “If my people who are called by name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways” – those are the conditions. Then God says, “Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The classic example of it from the New Testament is Jesus’ great metaphor of the vine and the branches in the 15th chapter of John. . “If you abide in me and my words abide in you” – those are the conditions. If we meet those conditions, then, says Jesus, “You can ask what you will, and it will be so.” (15:7)
If we meet those conditions, then God will act. So, “YES”, my reporter friend, praying can combat crime. Since it is true that there are some things God either cannot or will not do until and unless people pray, we must become bolder in our praying. And as we do, the hopes you expressed in closing your article will be realized. “Hopefully, all those prayers will lead to more people having a real future here in Memphis. A future that won’t be stunted by poverty. Or cut short by bullets.”