How Should We Pray During Times of Terror and Violence?
Practical prayer points for responding to global crisis with faith instead of fear
Although I orginally wrote this article with the following prayer points during a particular world crisis several years ago, the biblical principles remain relevant whenever we pray about terrorism, organised violence or persecution.
When acts of terror or violence dominate the headlines, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Fear rises quickly, rumours spread even faster, and many Christians are left wondering how they should pray.
The following suggestions aren’t intended to be an exhaustive list. Rather, they’re practical starting points to help us pray with faith instead of fear, remembering that our battle is first and foremost spiritual.
It’s vital that you make an effort to pray from a place of faith and to guard your heart against fear. Deliberately calm your heart, reminding yourself of God’s faithfulness as you pray.
Don’t watch news coverage for hours on end. Seek facts, don’t dwell on speculation.
1. Pray for confusion within terrorist organisations.
Pray for a breakdown in communication and planning. Pray that intelligence gathering would prove ineffective, that strategies would fail, and that every plan intended to bring harm would come to nothing.
2. Pray that their resources would dry up.
Pray that financial backing would disappear and that supply routes, weapons, resources and every means used to carry out violence would be exposed and dismantled.
3. Pray for Saul-to-Paul conversions.
Pray for supernatural encounters with Christ among those involved in terrorist organisations, especially those in positions of influence. Believe for Road to Damascus experiences through dreams, visions and divine encounters.
4. Pray for those who want to leave.
Pray for safe passage for those who come to their senses and desire to leave extremist organisations. Pray they would find safety and be led to trustworthy people who can protect them. Pray that key defectors would provide information that prevents further violence.
5. Pray for unity among those working to stop violence.
Pray for good communication, wisdom and cooperation between the nations, agencies and organisations working together to prevent attacks and protect innocent lives.
6. Pray for government leaders.
Pray for wisdom as they guide their nations through times of crisis. Pray for discernment, courage and long-term strategies that protect people while promoting justice.
7. Pray against retaliation fueled by hatred.
Pray that any hot-headed, fear-driven retaliation against innocent people would be exposed and prevented. Ask God to guard hearts from prejudice, vengeance and mob mentality.
8. Pray for the victims.
Pray for those who have been wounded, for grieving families, for those who have been traumatised and for everyone whose lives have been turned upside down through violence. Pray for comfort, healing, provision and hope.
9. Pray for first responders.
No one is fully prepared for the things they witness. Pray for those who serve on the front lines, asking God to strengthen them physically, emotionally and spiritually as they care for others.
10. Pray with both discernment and compassion.
Pray for those responsible for receiving and screening refugees and displaced people, that they would have wisdom and discernment. Pray that anyone intending to use humanitarian efforts as a cover for violence would be exposed and stopped.
At the same time, pray for the countless innocent families fleeing war, persecution and terror. Pray that they would find safety, healing, hope and compassionate care as they rebuild their lives.
Remember that our battle as Christians is first and foremost spiritual.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”
2 Corinthians 10:3–4
Be diligent in never removing the spiritual armour God has provided. Ephesians 6:10–18 Be fully dressed in truth, reminding yourself of your salvation. Walk in righteousness and view the world around you with eyes of faith.
Get into the Word of God and stand on His promises.
Live from a heart of peace and bring that peace wherever you go. Ask God for His strategies as you pray, and then wait for His answer.
Until next time,
Kath (Katherine) Walden