Scary Headlines

I urge . . . that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

—1 Timothy 2:1–2

I got a letter recently from our bank. Enclosed was a lovely little story, possibly written by a child, about rain and umbrellas and waiting out a storm, and essentially, it was a two-page way of saying, hey, don’t freak out. Um, I wasn’t, really, till my bank sent me a letter about storms and floods written either for or by a seven-year-old.

Deep breath. On the days when I’m tempted to lie down on the ground and let the anxiety I feel about our world flatten me like a steamroller, instead I pray. I speak to God, sometimes out loud, often in the car, frequently in the shower. I ask for help about things I don’t understand. I ask for peace, and grace, and the ability to see outside myself. I pray for people who are at the mercy of the scary headlines—auto workers who are losing jobs, children whose parents are unable to provide for them. And I pray for the people who can solve these problems—politicians, pastors, philanthropists. I pray for a way through, a light at the end of the tunnel.