Prayer Remains The First Line of Action In Crisis

Prayer Remains The First Line Of ACTION in Crisis

I'm alarmed as I notice a trend, a dangerous trend from folks who may consider themselves broad and open-minded. While I do not consider these held on beliefs as being broad minded, I will not in any way denigrate those who hold them for their opinions or views which they are entitled to. I'm absolutely against victimisation which I hope those who hold on to these views I'm about to share also decry. At least, in a matter, we may have a common ground to agree, not to victimise.
This issue is on prayer as the first line of action in crisis.


Perhaps, the mindset that makes a person to simply wade into a conversation when someone is offering counsel to another to pray when facing crisis, and speak against the act of prayer as the first line of action is because there is a tendency for man to be complacent and simply pray WITHOUT action. But the truth is that true prayer birth real action. A man getting up from his knees in prayers is supposed to know what next to do. He has an idea, divinely inspired. Or at least if he has no clue, he gets to have a peace that provides a sort of garrison for his mind against attacks. Attacks from the storm he is facing. It is with a limited understanding of what prayer is that gives rise to this mindset. A mindset that's says beyond prayers, here are the steps to take. There's absolutely nothing beyond prayers. The counsel you may give as steps to take is not superior to the ones God will give to the man stepping out from his closet after a conversation with heaven. Take it like that. Except ofcourse you state that beyond the prayers, here are the biblical principles to follow. That way, we can say what proceed from your mouth or mind to the person is simply Godly wisdom, one in which he doesn't need to pray about but can quickly glean from you.


Yes, there are times a man doesn't need to pray at all concerning a matter

Many things are left white and black in the scriptures. He only needs to follow. This is why if a man must pray at all, perhaps one of the greatest prayers he would ever pray is that his eyes of understanding be opened to see wisdom embedded in the word and that he respond like Christ would do to the storm of this life. This is the summary of Paul's prayers to the Ephesians folks in the first chapter of his letter.


Today, Chris Pratt, actor in Guardian of the Galaxy was attacked for tweeting about praying for a friend in crisis. Reading from some of those who responded could sink a solid heart. The intention probably to make him cower for expressing his faith publicly. The sole purpose was to victimise him and make him either stop or more diplomatic in expressing his religious views.

Less and lesser people in crisis want counsels uncoloured with christian views. We live in a generation where people want quick results and holding on the prayers as the first line of action means you're not pragmatic. To them, you're absolutely illogical and religious too. They have the ready answers, why pray? They know the steps for you to take and it's a fast action result. What could be appalling to those who hold this our so called “traditional belief’’ of praying first in crisis is the fact that these folks could make you look dumb while at it. As long as you don't feel dumb, that's all that matters.


Prayer remains the first line of action to people like me. I'm not afraid to flaunt the relationship I have with heavens if it makes to feel terribly uncomfortable. It is true, people sometimes, in professing to be smart end up embracing folly.

Wisdom calls. And it is in the mouth of the Lord. This wisdom is only gotten in the place of prayer. It just rubs off on you.


Teju Duru is a freelance journalist based in Ibadan. She devouted her heart to Jesus sometimes ago.