In light of the horrific Paris terrorist attacks, Psalm 10 provides a sure guide as to how we may pray:
LORD, why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked relentlessly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised.
3 For the wicked one boasts about his own cravings; the one who is greedy curses and despises the LORD.
4 In all his scheming, the wicked arrogantly thinks: “There is no accountability, since God does not exist.”
5 His ways are always secure; Your lofty judgments are beyond his sight; he scoffs at all his adversaries.
6 He says to himself, “I will never be moved– from generation to generation without calamity.”
7 Cursing, deceit, and violence fill his mouth; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
8 He waits in ambush near the villages; he kills the innocent in secret places; his eyes are on the lookout for the helpless.
9 He lurks in secret like a lion in a thicket. He lurks in order to seize the afflicted. He seizes the afflicted and drags him in his net.
10 He crouches and bends down; the helpless fall because of his strength.
11 He says to himself, “God has forgotten; He hides His face and will never see.”
12 Rise up, LORD God! Lift up Your hand. Do not forget the afflicted.
13 Why has the wicked despised God? He says to himself, “You will not demand an account.”
14 But You Yourself have seen trouble and grief, observing it in order to take the matter into Your hands. The helpless entrusts himself to You; You are a helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil person; call his wickedness into account until nothing remains of it.
16 The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations will perish from His land.
17 LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their hearts. You will listen carefully,
18 doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed, so that men of the earth may terrify them no more. Psalm 10
Pastor Erwin Lutzer also shares his thoughts on how we, as Christians, should face this evil:
ISIS has won another victory in terrorizing the Western World with its particular brand of Islamic extremism. They have claimed responsibility for Friday night’s series of coordinated attacks in Paris which killed 127 people and injured 200 more, 99 of them critically. As we think of those killed, including nearly 90 young people systematically slaughtered while at a concert, we mourn with the rest of the world and join them in condemning this evil act. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to all the people in Paris who are undoubtedly struggling with fear and uncertainty in the wake of this terrible tragedy.
Here in the States, this horrific event is also a reminder that we can almost certainly expect a similar attack here in the not-too-distant future…keep reading
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