Lately it’s been grieving me to hear people mock the idea of sending “thoughts and prayers” to families experiencing a tragedy. But do they have a point? Is there a positive message behind their mockery?
I believe that the heart of this demeaning of “hopes and prayers” lies in the idea that we must do MORE than “just” send thoughts and prayers in the wake of a tragedy. We must DO something to make a difference in their lives and to make sure these things don’t happen in the future. While I don’t agree with the cynicism, I do share the sentiment. But while action is necessary, should we really be mocking “thoughts and prayers?”
First let’s look at “thoughts”. What is the efficacy of thoughts? Well, nothing. But the person “sending thoughts” isn’t imagining that their thoughts are accomplishing anything significant. Rather, they are sending their condolences and acknowledging the pain and suffering of the victims. When you have a friend that experiences a loss, you might send them a condolence card expressing your sympathies. You don’t imagine that the card will change the circumstances. You are simply expressing support to your friend.
However, I also think that “thoughts” has slowly crept in as an alternative to “prayers” due to the increasing secularization of our society. It’s not politically correct for politicians and newscasters to say, “we’re praying for you.” “Our thoughts are with you today” is much more acceptable. As a Christian, I see this as as a weakening of our sympathy. But that’s because I believe in prayer.
So let’s look at “prayers.” What is the efficacy of “prayers.” The jury is out, depending on who you talk to. There have even been scientific studies with mixed results. For the most part, these studies will show no effect. Usually, they will measure the effect of strangers praying for people.
On the other hand, I’ve seen prayer answered – sometimes over time and sometimes immediately. I’ve seen things that cannot be explained without supernatural intervention. I believe in the efficacy of prayer. When I send my “prayers” I really believe I am accomplishing something significant.
But the question, “does prayer work?” is the wrong question. It presumes that prayers are like magic incantations that will cause the desired effects to happen. I would assert that prayer ought to be more about aligning ourselves with the will of God. In times of tragedy we should pray to discern what WE should do differently. Tragedy should drive us to prayer in order to seek HIS will.
Modern man doesn’t understand this. Modern man has placed himself on the throne of judgement and if there is a God, he must be called to account for his whereabouts during this tragedy. “How could a good god let this happen?” So we have dismissed him, and we don’t appreciate you bringing him up during this time of tragedy. Keep your prayers to yourself.
So if “thoughts and prayers” are not what we should be doing, then what is the answer? In what shall we trust?
Most of the time when I see the cynical mockery of “thoughts and prayers” it is from people who believe that government should provide the answer. It’s not the people actively caring for victims, giving sacrificially, and volunteering that mock. In fact, it’s usually the faith-based organizations that are the boots on the ground in times of crisis, not the mocking atheists. Those who mock “thoughts and prayers are usually those who advocate for more government control of something. “They” (the government) should DO something. Ironically, they believe their political opinions are helping while they mock “thoughts and prayers.”
So, we’ve lost confidence in God, but we’re confident that the government has the answer, if only enough people will vote the right way?
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We will offer our condolences. We will pray for those affected. We will give sacrificially. We will serve unselfishly.
Go ahead and mock us, but if you’re putting your hope in a political answer then…
…my thoughts are prayers are with you.
Andrew's Thoughts 