A faraway friend asked me for my prayers this weekend. Prayers for humanity, for those suffering right now in light of recent tragedies. She told me that she does not believe in God, how could she believe in a God who allows such atrocities to occur? But that she believes in the power of prayer, or maybe the collective positive thought, if I understood her correctly.
I have received similar messages and requests over the years, despite the fact that on this blog I typically choose to speak mainly of my family and those things that we enjoy doing. My faith is always just beneath the surface though, an undercurrent of sorts, and ultimately it is the driving force behind my life. And while I know that many of you (most?) don’t share my beliefs, and maybe think I am kind of nuts (I won’t argue), you tolerate me despite our differences. And sometimes you ask me to pray for you.
While I do have strong feelings and beliefs on many topics, I am not the sort that believes strongly, and then requires others around me to agree, to believe the same. That isn’t in my nature. For years I have felt that I wanted my blog to be a space for anyone, because in my real life, that is how I live. I don’t limit my relationships to those who live and believe as I do. I don’t live in isolation. This doesn’t change the nature of what I believe. It just means that I am secure in my faith, and I am okay with you whether we agree or not.
But today I am feeling led to share maybe a bit more than I typically do, maybe if only for the friend who reached out and the possibility that there are others who think the same, but haven’t taken the next step to write, to ask.
I am an intelligent person, or at least there is evidence to suggest that I was before I had children. I came to my place of religious belief after many years of struggle and questioning. While I spent hours upon hours reading and researching before I landed in the Catholic Church, I am not a theologian, and I tend to think in simple terms. I want to try to answer the question of suffering in the simplest terms I know. Because I once asked those same questions, and no one could answer me.
I believe in God, God the creator, who created us out of love, for relationship with him. But he doesn’t force this relationship on us. He gives us a choice; this is our free will. He asks us to choose him.
Think of someone whom you love, and who loves you. And now imagine that you were able to control people, to force them to love you. Is that the sort of love that you would desire? Would that even be love?
“It is never God’s will for anyone of us to suffer, though it is his will that we be free to choose him. And unfortunately, many do not choose Him.” -Fr. Rooney, my pastor (loosely quoted) And this is the age-old story, Adam and Eve, the garden, the apple. There are those who of their own free will choose evil over good. And that is why there is suffering. Humans have chosen evil over good for centuries, and we suffer the consequences.
So again I am asked, “I don’t believe, will you pray?” And of course I answer, “Yes.” But my prayers carry no more strength than yours. Your prayers are needed as well. Ask yourself, “What can I do about suffering and evil in the world?” Yes, you can live your life doing good, choosing good over evil. You can pray for the victims. But it is quite possible that the most important thing that anyone of us can do in the face of evil is to pray for the perpetrators. To pray for their hearts to be turned. For most of us, this is all we can do. So whether you believe in God or not, I ask you to pray. Pray everyday. Pray for those who wish harm upon humanity.
And maybe that sounds silly. I mean, how can you pray if you don’t believe? Why bother? Well, how can you ask me to pray if you don’t believe? Why not take a chance? Maybe you’ll feel a little like I do when I realize I am talking aloud to myself at the grocery store. But, who cares? Because what if there is a God waiting to hear from you? What if your prayers can help change the world? It’s worth the risk that you may just be talking to yourself. Because it’s quite possible that you are wrong. That there is indeed a God who loves the world, who truly wants good for us, despite all the suffering we see.
I am not the world’s most amazing praying Christian. I am chasing after children and schedules and meals and laundry and I often fall into bed and realize I haven’t spoken an intentional word of prayer all day with the exception of praying before meals. So I am going to start writing them down. I will write my prayers down. The friend pregnant with a child who won’t survive. Another who recently lost his wife to cancer. France, Lebanon, Syria. And maybe you will join me? Don’t want to say it out loud? Too strange when you don’t believe anyone is listening? Let’s write our prayers down together. That way we won’t forget. And if I am right about God, he will know, he will hear.
Jeanette says
I am loving these comments here today…from the believers and nonbelievers…all here for the greater good. no judgement…only acceptance and love. Whether you pray, or don’t pray this is the attitude we all should have. This is how we should treat one another. thank you all for the warm heart this afternoon.
Renee Anne says
Thank you for this.
After many years of struggling with my own faith, or lackthereof, I fell upon sort of an…..not emptiness because I’m not empty and I hate to say atheist because while I believe in science and all it can offer, I also have a twinge of belief in something “beyond” but at the same time, that belief isn’t strong enough to call me agnostic. So, I think I’ll go with the mantra of Wil Wheaton: Don’t be a dick. While I may not necessarily agree or even understand someone, it doesn’t mean I can be a dick to them. I may not like someone but it doesn’t mean I can be mean to them, just because of that. I don’t flow that way and that seems to work for me.
With that said, when people say “please send prayers” for whatever reason, the word I land on is “mojo” because it fits better with me. I suppose you could call it a form of prayer, though it’s not to any particular deity (except maybe the Flying Spaghetti Monster).
I had a point to all of this………what was it……
Oh, yes, thank you for being you and not a judgey-pants 🙂
Linda Nichols says
Ginny, what a lovely post. You are a light on a hill.
Maria says
Thank you, Ginny. May we all learn to live in faith and grace as you do, showing by example what the Lord asks us to do.
Kathy says
I’m completely opposed to religion but I believe in spirituality and the power of positive thought, however each of us chooses to do so. You are right, it can only bring good into the world, whether the impact is only on the person saying/ thinking it or if it does in fact reach some higher being.
Agnès says
Thank you, Ginny. I was sure you would think about us, we have so much pain here in Paris.
Ellie says
Ginnny, this is so beautifully written. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and prayers.
O God, Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you. Amen.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus Christ your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Betsy says
Very well written Ginny. Although I am a non-denominational Christian and not Catholic, I believe we share many of the same beliefs and I agree with every single thought you have expr seed here. God does not force any of us to believe in Him or to love Him. It is a gift. But I am and have been praying for this world, both the innocents and the people who are inflicting the violence around the world. Thank you so much for this beautiful post.
Blessings!
Betsy
Corinne says
I have said all these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble: but take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
…praying right along with you Ginny…
Corinne
Marina says
Beautiful. I’m french, and I’m a believer, I wish every person who have lost a dear one would have the comfort to draw near to Him that he might bring peace. I really pray for them all, thanks for your genuineness.
valérie says
MERCI.
God bless you.
Jo M says
You have such a way with words. Thank you Ginny!
Kate says
It is indeed often difficult to remember everyone needing prayers. I promise to pray or am I asked to pray for so many intentions and I only have so much memory storage between homeschooling and housekeeping. For a few years now I have simply been praying daily, “Father, send your blessing and mercy upon those who have asked for my prayers and those whom I have promised to pray for. “
Sara McD says
Ginny, your tender heart increases my faith. I thank God for you. So, as you wish…
Heavenly Father, Thank you for seeing our sorrow, for weeping with us.
Lord I ask you to convict the hearts of evildoers, to miraculously let them see the humanity in their victims. I ask you to bring these terrorists to repentance. I ask that you touch their hearts in ways that human justice and human vengeance never can. I ask you to bind Satan and his influence on their lives. I believe that though we are weak, your grace is sufficient. Lord, I even ask for you to grant salvation to these murderers, that they would begin to walk in the light of your love. I ask all of these enormous things of you because you are the God who can. With you all things are possible. And I pray not because I am worthy, but because you are mighty and good and I pray in the name and by the power of your Son, Jesus, whose blood can cleanse even the foulest.
Judy says
Amen.
Clair says
I have been searching for something in the past few days: words to express how I feel; something to do other than cry for all the atrocities in the World… – your words are perfect, thank you.
Tracy says
Thank you so much for sharing this. You have a beautiful faith and I love how it comes through in what you share on your blog. Your family, your farming, your priorities, I can see the undercurrent! I’m a fellow Catholic and fiber-lover (although I don’t knit, I crochet) and I truly enjoy coming to this space. Thank you for opening your heart today and sharing your thoughts on suffering. Wasn’t it St. John Paul II who said “Suffering unleashes love”? Even if I struggle to understand the concept of suffering, I can find hope in knowing that good will somehow come out of it. Please know that I’m joining with you in prayer for all those who suffer and for those who cause suffering.
Judy says
What a powerful post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and faith with us. I will be praying for the families who have lost loved ones. So much heartache in Paris and for what reason?
RMann says
What beautiful, heartfelt words! The Holy Spirit was truly at work within you. Thank you for sharing what many of us needed to hear. It truly touched my heart…
Linda says
I’m a believer and I pray for people to have wisdom. To see God and realize that He is not the author of evil things. I pray that they see His love for us. That they will hear His still, small voice beckoning to them. Pleading with them. Waiting oh so patiently for them.
Lee Cockrum says
I think that you articulate it well that our free will is what leads to so much of the evil in the world. I have always been spiritual. I was more Christian in leanings when I was young, and now more Buddhist. I cannot “get on board” with the idea that if you have another belief system other than Christianity, you are lost. I love the encompassing nature of Buddhism. They believe in prayers as well. There have even been studies that show prayer works. I like your idea of writing the prayers down, to help us remember to pray. And a Buddhist tenant is to pray for your “enemies”, they need it more than your friends.
Mellisa says
Oh Ginny, thank you! Thank you for being real and being raw. Thank you for sharing your heart. Keep on praying! Sometimes my simplest prayer is, “oh Jesus, please hear my heart”
Lori Ann says
Thank you for the beautiful words this Monday morning. I just love, “Be still and know that I am God.” There is no wrong way to pray – no right way. Just listening sometimes is all that is needed to find peace and healing. We should all be more willing to talk about God (He, She, Greater Being, Whatever) and to share thoughts (maybe with discussion but always without criticism of each other’s thoughts) and maybe then we will all find a way to live a more peaceful, fulfilled, and loving life!
Jen says
I loved this post! While I am one of your readers who doesn’t believe in God, I do believe in the power of coming together and I believe that we can choose what energy we bring into the world. And that this energy can make things better (or worse). For me, meditation is a lot like praying and helps me ease my anxiety while sending light into the world.
We don’t share the same faith, but we believe that we can make this a better world, one prayer at a time.
Tracy says
Jen,
You said exactly what I wanted to say yet more perfectly .
Thank you!
Tara says
Beautiful. Compassion for all is powerful.
Helene says
Dear Ginny. I am French. And I knit. And I am Catholic on every inch (or centimeter) of my being. Like you my faith underlies everything I do (or so I try…).
I also happen to have studied theology for six years, and, as far as I can tell (I have no pretense of being more enlightened than anyone else – what are six years to fathom the eternal Wisdom?), all your words were fully in the light of the Gospel and the Magisterium.
What you said also made me think of a French philosopher and theologian who was born and bred communist/atheist, and who started to pray (to the Virgin Mary) before he believed. Upon hearing the news of his grandmother’s illness, he began to pray to Our Lady, in the exact same way and place he had mocked Catholics the week before.
God bless you and your fantastic family… “Take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16)
Lisa G. says
Was that Alphonse Rattisbonne? (I spelled his name wrong, I’m sure)
Helene says
There are many in that case… But I was thinking about Fabrice Hadjadj (still alive: he is 44 years old).
Lisa G. says
I’ll look him up!
Elaine says
A beautiful outreach to those who believe and those who don’t.
Well said. Thank you God for love and grace and mercy.
Debbie says
You nailed it!!!!Thank you for putting the thought into your words because it is sometimes so hard to express what we are feeling and I think you just summed it up completely.You underestimate yourself Ginny. Your light just brightened my world.
Molly says
I weigh this question a lot ( more so right now because I’m teaching 7th grade RE and they ask this a lot) and what I keep coming back to is that maybe it’s not God who really is allowing these things to happen – maybe he’s given us all we need to keep these things from happening through prayer, good will, tenderness – and it’s us who are the reason these things keep happening. Perhaps God is sitting there sad because in our Free Will we can’t see that he’s given us all we need to make these things stop and we just can’t figure out, but because of Free Will he can’t force us to anything for good or ill.
Sharon says
I am Christian also, and your words resonate with me, for this was the exact topic 8 days ago at church. My pastors son is now the pastor of our church and he and his family along with our church have been mourning the loss of our senior pastor. Pastor Dave went to be with the lord over three weeks ago at a young age from leukemia. His son Andrew is now our pastor and has been tackling the subject matter of death, unfairness, sin and evil and the promises of eternal life as a result of faith in Christ Jesus. I have been a believer since I was seven and I am almost 50. Love is a beautiful thing and what people need most is to be loved. Jesus gave us two commandments, to love God with all of our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Prayer is our constant form of communication with our loving God and he rejoices when we partake in prayer. Pray for your enemies and pray for peace and most importantly offer thanksgiving to God. Remember, we are merely passing through, this is not our permanent home. Our home is in heaven with Christ Jesus. Keep your eyes on the Lord, and leave the other things for Him to sort out. A sister in faith, Sharon
Bee says
“For years I have felt that I wanted my blog to be a space for anyone, because in my real life, that is how I live. I don’t limit my relationships to those who live and believe as I do. I don’t live in isolation.”
This. This is exactly why your blog is one of my very favorites. Unlike many other blogs out there, you believe, and you practice your faith, but you are still open to other people and other ideas. You don’t seem dogmatic or judgmental; you are kind. I really, really appreciate that, and it keeps me coming back to this blog.
And yes, prayer…I believe in the power of prayer (or whatever anyone wishes to call it) as well. Even if it were just a way of reflecting on whatever is happening and setting intentions to be better, to improve, to help others, to be kind, to make a difference…then that makes a difference already.
Thanks for this.
Margaret says
Beautiful post, Ginny.
lulu says
lovely post..i pray daily…
Gail says
Amen. Well said.
Linda Gaylord says
thank you ginny for sharing with us your simple honest faith and love.your belief in the creator of us all permeates your life and the lives of your children.it is evident in every word,every picture,every offering of your life that you share with us here.i shared this post in several different ways with the wider world,for i believe in the collective power of positive thinking,of joining our hearts and minds with the intention of creating positive change in the world.i believe in god,i believe in love and i believe in the basic inherent goodness of humankind,and i especially believe in the power of that goodness to alleviate suffering in this world.thank you for reminding me how much i need to put my prayers out into the world to help affect those in need…may you drink at the well of His love and never know thirst….amen…
Rosie says
Beautiful message. xx
Teresa says
Dear Ginny,
Thank you so much for sharing this. Even though I’ve lost the gift of Faith, I sometimes feel the urge to pray. It may be on difficult times, in the face of the tragedy or the horror. It may be in the joy of living. Yes, you might be right, maybe I can pray even though. Thank you so much.
Amy says
absolutely beautiful. Father God, I lift up your world. I know this is not what you intended it to be. You gave us freewill and some have chose to not come to you and follow satan and his hatred. I ask that you comfort those who have lost someone in the tragedies of this weekend. I know you were there and took those who love you home. I hope each one that gave their lives is with you now. I live in reality an I know there were lost ones as well. I ask for revival Father. Bring us to your feet and turn our hearts back to yours. Help those understand that you allow things to happen because of freewill. We are not robots that you order to love you. We chose love, we chose to follow you. It is a personal choice. I lift up those who choose the other. They are lost Father and I ask that you put someone in their path to share and show who you are to them. Father keep my friend safe over there as she shares your love. Thank you for finding a way for her to let us know she is safe right now. watch over her and all of your people. I ask this in Your Son’s precious name, Sweet Jesus. Amen
Deborah says
Journaling my prayers has long been a favorite of mine. It fits my personality, though. 🙂
I love your heart in this post, Ginny.
I think when we start to dig deep and seek God and ask why about evil and sin and senselessness, we start to see that it hurts God’s heart even more than it hurts us.
Wendy says
This is beautiful–thanks for sharing your heart, Ginny.
mary m says
Beautiful
Nathana Clay @theengagedhome.com says
Beautiful! God has been working on my heart lately in the area of prayer. I’ve been reading “The Lord and His Prayer” by N.T. Wright and also “Seeing the Unseen.” Both very eye-opening and challenging books. Prayer journals are a great way to become intentional about prayer. I found that some days are crazy and I just have to whisper small prayers throughout my day to stay connected. Other days, I go on a date with God. I light a candle, write out my prayers, meditate on scripture and soak up His presence. But I know His presence is always with me, and He cherishes even my small prayers on busy days. 🙂
We live in Columbia, MO where all the protests on the MU campus are happening over racial tensions. It was beautiful to see our church’s response to it. Our ministers walked through campus doing a prayer walk, gathered together to pray over the community, and on Sunday (in light of MU and Paris) had our congregation form a unity circle, black by white, young by old, and pray over our community and world. I totally agree with you that in light of pain, questions, and suffering, we can always pray and trust God’s prompting when He asks us to reach out and help heal a hurting world.
Lisa G. says
A prayer walk! What a nice idea.
Nathana Clay @theengagedhome.com says
I thought so too! Our minister said it was a powerful experience. He said there was a strange dynamic of fear and anger on campus. He said that on one side of the sidewalk were students out playing frisbee and on the other, protesters being interviewed by their tents.
I’ve tried to adopt prayer walks in my own life too. We live in a somewhat rough neighborhood (we are renting), and instead of letting negative emotions cause me to look down on my neighbors, I’ve been trying to pray for my neighborhood and community as I walk our dog or push our daughter in her stroller. It has really opened up my heart to practical ways that I can reach out and love my physical neighbors. 🙂
Ok lady says
A beautiful post….and prayer may be the only real answer. Peoples hearts must change. I cannot comprehend that kind of hate. I will try to pray with you daily. As young children in a small Catholic school in Ok we prayed daily for the fall of the “iron curtain”. Maybe we need that kind of praying from everyone again. It’s hard to maintain that daily prayer when our lives get busy….but I’ll try.
Laura says
Thank you for this, Ginny – very movingly put and absolutely spot on.
I’ve never forgotten a friend of mine, a committed athiest, who was asked if she was offended when others prayed for her. Her answer was absolutely not. She might not believe the prayers were effective, but she was grateful for people doing the thing that *they* believed was most effective, because it showed how much they cared about her. It was one of the most gracious responses on the subject I’ve ever read.
The other expression I love was in a Christian book, which talked about choosing to walk a narrow path yourself while flinging your arms open to meet those walking differently. This has always felt like a very loving, welcoming space, flowing from what you believe, but not demanding everyone agree. It’s a space full of love, which is something we all desperately need.
Thank you <3
Cécile says
Thank you so much Ginny…
Eileen says
You words has taken me to my knees…thankyou!
Helena says
Love this post!
laura says
Important and lovely words. Thank you, Ginny.
Becca says
This post is amazing. Thank you for post it.
Gwendolyn says
Beautifully said! Even for the unbeliever for them to ask you to pray requires faith. I was brought up Baptist and they taught that God doesn’t hear the unbelievers prayer…only the sinner’s prayer (asking Him to come into your heart). Yes, I understand completely about getting so caught up in the day that you realize you haven’t talked to God all day or even read His word. I just picked up a new Bible at Walmart and it’s given me more focus to study His word at least before bedtime. My husband is constantly saying he’s praying for the 7th generation of grandchildren. I get sidetracked…thank you for writing out a reminder!
Maggie says
Wow. Great words, Ginny. Thank you for putting them out there.