seeking hope in the midst of tragedy

In the midst of tragedy, it’s so easy to become hopeless. It seems like as each day passes, this world gets darker and darker. Constant news reports of bombings, terrorist attacks, shootings, genocides,.. are just filling up our social media feeds. When will it end? Each devastating story reminds us a little more vividly every time of just how broken we are and how tight of a grasp Satan has on this world. We tend to get lost in the darkness and for a moment we convince ourselves that this world is too far gone from being saved. In those moments of doubt and hopelessness, we give Satan control. 

Today, my heart, and a billion others, are deeply saddened for our nations. “#prayforparis, #prayforparis, #prayforparis” - more than 10 million people have used this hashtag today. Think about this. In the midst of tragedy, people across the world- men and women of faith, men and women of no faith, people who pray and people who have no idea what prayer even is, ones who believe in God and ones who don’t are saying the words, “pray for Paris.” In this time of fear, oppression, confusion, brokenness, and complete desperation, our world is crying out for help, for a hope. Nations are turning to the power of prayer; seeking something greater than this tragedy- something that offers peace, hope, comfort, and healing when it feels like there’s none. This world is reaching for something more, something omniscient, believing that it’s going to do something. We’re so against prayer yet our only response to tribulation is prayer because we all know in the depths of our hearts that the One we’re praying to is real, able, and sovereign. This world is crying out for Jesus and they don’t even know it. 

Light will not be overcome by darkness. A sin-filled, lost world in desperate need of a Savior. Evil is present and Satan is active, but so is our mighty, mighty God. He gave himself for our sins so He might rescue us from this present evil age {Galatians 1:4}. Jesus wins every time. It's not over yet. 

Let us hold steadfast to the God of hope and let our prayer be this:

"Open our eyes, Lord let us see / All that you are, all that you mean / Open our ears, Lord, let us hear / all that you are, be loud and clear / please be near / As our praises rise, may your presence fall / Heaven, Heaven fall down / Spirit, Spirit pour out on us all now / Come, Jesus, come / come like the wind, fill up this place, we welcome You in / Come like the rain / Open the sky, show us Your face, oh, Lord, we wait / We’re crying out in desperation / waiting now in expectation / crying out in desperation for you / we’re waiting for you” Heaven Fall Down // Phil Wickham