Many parts of the world are in turmoil. During the last few months, the disturbances and conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and some African countries have regularly occupied almost all media spaces. There are pro and anti stands and voices against military and militant actions. The images aired out from the fields of conflicts are disturbing to human minds and is appalling.

Since the last few days of my prayers, I have been trying to meditate on the question, where do I stand in these conflicts? Should I or shouldn’t I take a stand? As usual, I again go back to the word of God to find answer to this question. This blog is a reflection of my meditation on the disturbing conflicts and unrest occurring in different parts of the world.

Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:6-7). If I try to discern these verses, then I should keep quiet realising that these things are destined to happen. Moreover, in a way I should be happy that whatever Jesus said is coming to pass which in turn enhances my faith in Him.

But, my human mind switches and questions, can’t you see innocent blood of men, women and children splattered? Can’t you see the homeless, refugees, people with lost limbs? The questions continue touching almost challenges under the sun such as winter chill, scorching sun, flood, starvation, thirst and so on which the affected are facing. All these thoughts and questions in my meditation led me to Matthew 24:22 where Jesus said, “………but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short”. I got a partial and temporary relief that these won’t last very long for there are elects of God taken care of. I then started thinking about ‘the elect’.

Jesus said, “Many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). This sheds some understanding on ‘the elect’ and I need to make sure that I am one of the elects. So how do I make sure that I am one of the chosen rather than remaining ‘called but not elected’? Jesus said there will be trials and tribulations for the ‘called’ leading to loss of faith and increased inactivity, but only those who stand firm to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13). Further, Jesus also said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and, in your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…..” (Matthew 7:23). I guess I now have a fair understanding of being left called but not elected. And I earnestly pray that I am elected and remain so forever.

Coming back, the issue of should I or should I not react to the incidents related to the beginning of end times (Matthew 24:8) could now be related to the duties and responsibilities of ‘the elect’. We do have many examples of the duties and responsibilities of the elect from Matthew 24:46; 25:13; Mark 13:35; and Luke 12:37. But what exactly should I do in these trying hours? This intriguing question led me to the Bible section which I read the other night, Mark 14:32-41.

Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane is very touching and is full of hyper tension due to the incidents that followed- betrayal, arrest, trials, torture and death. Matthew (26:36-46) and Mark (14:32-42) reports that Jesus took Peter, James and John with him, from among the disciples, but Luke (22:39-46) only mention disciples in general. In any case, it is to be noted that Jesus withdrew to be in prayers during that particularly difficult time. This was the first step towards sourcing an answer to my question as to how should I respond/react to the disturbing incidents reported from around the world. I should be awake and spend time in prayers as Jesus did, so earnestly that my soul gets overwhelmed (Matthew 26:38) and my sweat turns into blood (Luke 22:44). Therefore, imitating Christ (Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 11:1), I come to the conclusion that street demonstrations, protest meetings or even sanctions will not achieve the result which prayers can.

I presume that Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane was unique for he was probably praying for those souls who are to be destroyed for revolting against God Almighty. In other words Jesus was probably praying for all those from Judas to the High Priest, Pilate and King Herod. I have grounds to presume this because Jesus taught to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Now, this is a massive spiritual warfare where we take the fight right into the enemy (Satan) camp.

The only way to win a war, especially when we are right inside the enemy’s camp is better coordination and collaboration. In Christian terms we call it fellowship. Jesus sought prayer fellowship from the disciples at Gethsemane in the fight against Satan but unfortunately the disciples fell asleep during those crucial hours. Just imagine the commander fighting and the members of the battalion sleeping when there is continuous fire from the enemy. Having said this, it does not by any means imply that Jesus could not fight the battle alone and needed the help of disciples. Rather, it was a lesson taught to the disciples the importance of fellowship in Christian life.

In conclusion, I wish resolve that I should remain awake as much as possible and pray so that I do not fall in the trap of demonic powers. Jesus said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation….” (Mark 14:38). If I follow the world, demonstrating on the streets and protesting against the atrocities only, then I am fallen, as Satan has no problem with us doing anything else except praying and meditating on the word of God. Prayers can move mountains which human actions cannot. Let us submit ourselves to God Almighty.