The writer of Ephesians noted that we, as Christians, do not need to practice warfare on the human realm, because we do so on the spiritual realm. In II Corinthians Paul also said that we do not use worldly weapons, but weapons of the Spirit.

But modern Anabaptists seem to be neglecting both.

I have a Mennonite pastor friend who says that if it were not for God’s power and God’s kingdom, then the pacifist stance is idiotic. I agree. I think that the world can only be changed by some kind of power, and we are neglecting our duty as people aware of the injustices of this world if we do not pray.

This is why I am so pleased with the Micah Challenge. Their first (but not only) action against worldwide poverty is prayer. They understand that prayer is our first line of attack against injustice.

After being challenged by a businesswoman in Bangladesh, me and my family right now are praying for God’s justice and blessing on every Muslim country in the world, one by one. After this, we will be praying for the poorest nations in the world. It is only if we– and everyone else who knows these issues– pray that God will take action. And only if God takes action will things change.

Because humanity, on its own, has really screwed things up.

Steve K

Thanks for your post. I think your connection between prayer and privilege is a challenging one, especially for those of us living in North America. I know that I’ve often experienced more passionate and active prayer lives in less privileged communities.

I’ve also recognized many times that my privilege insulates me from “the need” to pray. For me, it is a choice, not a necessity.

It’s been good for me to join a congregation in which many people have first hand experiences of the power of prayer to redeem them from very destructive lifestyles. It’s a lot different from the highly educated upper middle class church I grew up in. I find myself continually challenged to more prayer.