Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, since Wednesday, the news media has been all over the shooting at a school in Florida. And that’s as it should be: it’s a heart breaking story.

At the same time (and maybe this will get me in trouble), but I’m getting really sick of the sentiment that “thoughts and prayers” are equated with “doing nothing.” I understand the frustration. Goodness knows, I understand the desire for change and the growing unrest over the perceived lack of change.

However, as a person of faith, it upsets me that anyone would say that prayer – our direct line to the Living God of the Universe – is passive.

In my opinion, prayer is one of the great privileges of faith. As a member of a reformed Protestant branch of Christianity, I believe that God listens directly to the prayers of his children. I believe that prayer changes things. I believe that when I cannot find the words to express my prayers, the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf to express the desires of my heart to God. I believe that my prayer changes things – things in the world and things in my heart and soul.

I believe this is how it is for any person of faith.

So it’s heartbreaking to hear prayer equated to a platitude.

This Lent, I encourage you to pray fervently. Our world needs prayer. Our souls need prayer. And God’s ear is bent close.