It was a wonderful thing to sleep in my own bed last night after 12 days of travel. This “Before Amen” book tour took me from Florida to New York City and half a dozen stops in between. I spoke at several churches, engaged in many conversations, and walked away with a distinct impression.
We are scared.
We can hardly process the images we see on the screen. Beheadings?! Epidemic?! Global plague?! Is this the Middle Ages? A science fiction novel? In addition to these bizarre events, we have the “common” ones of economic uncertainty and a seemingly deadlocked political system.
And we are anxious. Not since 9/11 have I sensed such angst.
One conversation was emblematic of the rest. A worker in a major studio asked me the topic of my interview. When I said, “Prayer,” she stopped and looked me in the eyes and said: “Oh, we need prayer.” She was accustomed to talking to strategists, generals, and politicians. She senses that we need help from a divine source.
“Would you like to pray?”
She nodded, disappeared for a moment, and returned with four friends. “They want to pray, too.” So we prayed.
Let’s do the same.
We are never without hope because we are never without prayer. Don’t give into anxiety. Resist the urge to panic. There is peace for the asking. The next time you sense a wave of despair, respond in prayer.
Fear seeps in when our trust in God wavers. The only time we should get scared is when something surprises God. If something takes God by surprise, we are doomed. Since God knows all things, we are comforted.
Fear is knocking on the door, but we don’t have to let it in.
© Max Lucado, October 14, 2014
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