Now that the war in Iraq is in full swing and we have reports of American POWs and casualties, references to prayers are raining upon us in the media like a ‘shock and awe’ bombing campaign. Example: Praying and Dreading by Those Back at Home in today’s NY Times.
Naturally, we’re encouraged to pray for the safety of our American servicemen and women. For those killed, we pray for their families. In fewer instances, we hear prayers offered for the safety of Iraqi civilians.
Beliefnet has Prayers for the Military and the US Catholic Bishops have Prayers in a Time of War, which includes, That the Lord may preserve the members of our Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force from all harm.
But if you believe that God is watching this war, pulling levers here and there to allow some to live and some to die, and you want the US and its allies to win, why not pray that He pull a few more levers in favor of our side? To wit:
- We not only pray that our bombs not kill innocent Iraqi civilians, but also that they kill as many of the Iraqi military as effectively possible.
- We not only pray that our President and military commanders make decisions guided by Your Wisdom, but also that You fill the heads of Saddam Hussein and his commanders with poor judgment and erroneous thinking.
- We not only pray that You help the coalition forces to be brave under fire, but also that You help the Iraqi servicemen turn into cowards.
- We not only pray for the safety of our POWs, but also that You help our forces kill their captors so that they might go free.
And if you’re really into it, as I pointed out a month ago, pray a Mark Twain-type war prayer… “O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste…”
I used to think that war prayers which asked God to intervene on behalf of our side were harmless opium for the masses, something to do when you’re fearful and upset that makes you feel better for a short time. But now I’m starting to think that they’re actually harmful, no different than prayers which ask God to “help me win the lottery” or “help my wife not be so selfish” or “please don’t let my daughter marry that jerk” or “please help my parents see why they should loan me the money.” That kind of praying serves to keep you blind to the mistaken ideas you have about your predicament. War prayers may do something similar, though I’m not yet sure what. Got ideas? Let me know.