I often keep a red pen in my left pocket. Even though so much of my life has shifted to a digital format, I still find it helpful to jot down appointments, someone’s name and email, phone messages, and other noteworthy details that pop up daily. I never know when I’m going to need to scribble down a prayer concern or the new date and location of a rescheduled surgical procedure.
Thoughts and prayers: I’ve said it, I’ve offered it, and I believe it. To scrawl someone’s name and situation on a scrap of paper or napkin and then hold them in your thoughts and prayers during a difficult season is a holy thing. But thoughts and prayers are only part of our role when it comes to loving and caring for people.
We must also spring into action and tell them that we love and care for them. We must speak up and remind them that they matter, share words of encouragement with them, and sometimes offer tough words of next steps.
When necessary, we widen the circle, using our words, our bodies, and our resources to stand in the gap offering protection, healing, or advocacy on their behalf. Thoughts and prayers are anything but inaction and silence.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr got emotional during a press conference about basketball this week when reflecting about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, saying, “I’m so tired of the moments of silence. Enough!”(www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/05/24/steve-kerr-uvalde-background-checks/).
He was fed up with the silence and instead demanded legislative action in the face of yet another senseless loss of life.
Jesus frequently was frustrated by inaction, too. When someone needed healing on the Sabbath, Jesus healed them, much to the dismay of the religious leaders who accused him of breaking the laws (Matthew 12:9-14). When children were present in ministry moments, Jesus welcomed and blessed them, rather than pushing them aside (Mark 10:14).
Following the example of Jesus, we are called to merge our “thoughts and prayers” sentiment with courageous love in action.
Someone recently asked why we pray about racial reconciliation in our weekly prayers. We continue to pray that God will heal us and move us to action, because racial issues continue to plague our nation and the world. As long as they do, we will not only offer thoughts and prayers, but hope that God will agitate us to strive for justice and equity.
For the same reason, we not only stand with our LGBTQIA+ siblings during Pride month, but we “live, share, and celebrate with all people” all year long in Jesus’ name. Our thoughts and prayers are coupled with activism and inclusion.
1 John 16-18 reminds us of Jesus’ example: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for [one another]. Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Pastor Lisa Bernheisel agrees, writing in her May 25, 2022 blog, “Love takes an active stance saying no to violence. Love does not let anger and bitterness be the end. Love seeks out the lost and those who have no hope. Love flows through the grieving with their tears. Love is the angry fist-shaking ‘why?’ As my friend says ‘love wins.’ We see this in the empty tomb. Yes, let's love each other through it.”
Please continue to offer your focused thoughts and prayers in earnest to those you love and care for, but don’t stop there. Let your love and concern turn into Holy Spirit-inspired action as you listen, speak, vote, accompany, and work on behalf of those in need.
Goodness is stronger than evil!
Pastor Lowell