Grandpa's Garden: Praying When Things Aren’t Right

I can’t recall precisely when our children discovered how much evil and suffering there is in the world. We tried to protect them for as long as we could. Maybe the little hurts of early childhood were a gradual introduction. At some point, they became aware that the world endures terrible suffering, much of which people inflict on each other.

Today, violence and revenge seem almost taken for granted. It’s ironic how frequently some of us impose misery on others. We hope to teach our children how to respond to the vicious and to treasure the virtuous.

“Justice will bring about peace; right will produce calm and security.” (Isaiah 32:17)

We want our children to grow up to be realists about the world. We would also like them to be peacemakers, seeking to heal, to extend mercy, and to bind up the wounds of those who are oppressed. Our children will have many opportunities to make things right as they grow up. We hope they embrace the slow, steady, gracious dawning of God’s Kingdom among us.

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)

Navigating The Negative Through Prayer

The Gospel message of Jesus is light that illuminates all the shadows of our lives. His Spirit speaks to us. “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8a)

Occasionally, we may have to sit in prayerful confusion with a jumble of thoughts and feelings. This can be a good start, even if it may not seem so. It’s honest. Our discomfort is fertile ground for grace, open space for insight, and a place for the Lord to come. If we bring to Him our struggle to seek what is right, He will transform us.

Ideally, prayer empowers us to act. For our young school-age children, we can hope that their prayer will inspire them to speak with the kid no one talks to, share school supplies as needed, lend lunch money when asked, admit when they are at fault, learn from their mistakes, tell the truth, forgive, be inclusive, study hard, and continue praying.

“Observe the honest, mark the upright; those at peace with God have a future.” (Psalm 37:37)

During the height of the pandemic, I remember driving by a roadside sign that read, “Everything is going to be okay.” The sign’s message sounded right.

Let us pray in our families for the grace to bring God’s reign into every space of our lives.