Prayer Over Protest

When I was a kid, the annual Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon was a big deal.  It brought people together from all over San Diego to participate in a parade that included High School marching bands, people riding horses, floats, clowns and even Shriners in small cars.  The sense of excitement for a main street to be shut down for a community event seems to have gone by the wayside these days, as events (planned and unplanned!) have pivoted from parades to protests.  Instead of bringing people of a community together, it seems gatherings now draw people with intent to oppose one another and are loud and proud about it.  A planned protest gives rise to a counter protest with police in the middle, trying to prevent mayhem as people wave signs, shout slogans and hurl abuse at one another.

Protests, for all the noise and spectacle, seem to have less clout than petitions, which are more for the sake of expressing solidarity than providing real change.  Petitions, parades and protests share one thing in common:  it is the act of those who desire to be heard and seen.  As I considered this, I was struck by the stark contrast between the modern mood of protests and life and teaching of Jesus Christ.  I suppose Jesus was in a parade because it was a public affair:  He rode into Jerusalem riding a donkey, much to the delight of the Jewish people who laid their clothes and palm branches before Him.  He did not shout at all; there was no bullhorn held to his lips or anti-Roman sign in His hand.  Who were the Romans, the governor in Jerusalem or all Israel compared to Him as the KING OF KINGS?  He did not ride in to promote a cause or even Himself, for He rode into Jerusalem to fulfill Scripture which cannot be broken.  Jesus wanted more than to be seen but that all people would come to know Him as Saviour.  When He was lifted up on Calvary to be crucified, He drew all people to Himself.

A mob protesting and rioting makes the news, yet I am not convinced it is as effective and influential as one person who trusts God and seeks Him in private as Jesus taught.  Consider Abraham who drew near to God and pleaded on behalf of saving the righteous people in Sodom.  Think about Moses who interceded on behalf of the erring and idolatrous children of Israel, standing in the gap for his people.  Even if the whole nation had gathered together in protest of God's judgment, it would not have been as effective as one person who fears and trusts God and humbles himself before Him.  Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:5-6:  "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  God hears, answers and rewards the soul who trusts and obeys Him, who seeks Him in secret.  Hypocrites love to be seen by others as bold and strong, yet God's people are not to play to the crowd.  God may grant people public platforms to share their views and beliefs with millions, yet it has miniscule impact compared to those who seek their heavenly Father in secret who hears, answers prayer and does everything--the audience of One.

Dear Christian, let us not be numbered among those who are big on social or political activism yet neglect the weightier matters to embrace a humble heart that is obedient to God.  Paul wrote an exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 that remains relevant:  "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³ For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."  Are you willing to thank God and pray for leaders you would rather protest?  Will you submit to the ordinances and rulers sent by God to punish evildoers and commend those who do good (1 Peter 2:13-14)?  Have you considered how those who preach without love, those who protest without praying play the hypocrite like a corrupt ruler--and all will be required to appear and answer before God in judgment?  As the song goes, "Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."