Prayer and National Challenges: Development or Derailment?

Some Jamaicans contend that prayer is not enough to tackle the problems and challenges of this nation. They probably cast aspersions on the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast that was held yesterday (January 21, 2010) and concluded that it was a sham, a mere show of politico-religious pomp and pageantry without any consideration given to purposeful concerted action. This perspective on prayer is not without merit and substance given the prevailing theology and practice of prayer.

I would like to suggest, however, that the issue is not that prayer is not enough, but that we do not pray “enough”. “Enough” to me means that the quantity and quality of our prayers are adequate and results-producing. From one angle, it is not that we merely pray without acting, but that we fail to pray without ceasing (quantity). From another angle, any solid biblical theology of prayer would include the notion that genuine prayer is persistent, action-generating, and transformative (quality).

My understanding of the essence of Christian prayer is that when it is done within the ambits of integrity, penitence, humility, and confident expectation, it produces tangible and palpable results regardless of the complexity and intractability of the contextual ills. Lest we forget, it was Jesus who stated categorically that there are certain perceived difficulties and apparently insurmountable challenges that cannot be tackled successfully without prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). Indeed, on another occasion he said, “Men ought always to pray and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Was Jesus a mere prayer fanatic?

Many nations around the world have experienced positive transformation and economic development on the foundation of authentic prayer. Although some might question his credentials, President George W. Bush said during his remarks on America’s National Day of Prayer in 2006 that, "America is a nation of prayer. It's impossible to tell the story of our nation without telling the story of people who pray." (Read the entire speech here) Taiwan, which was recently ranked 13th place (above Japan and below only Singapore among Asian nations) in the "Innovation for Development Report 2009-2010”, hosted its Ninth National Prayer Breakfast on November 28, 2009. In his address, President Ma Ying-jeou indicated that whereas one individual’s prayers are helpful, “collective prayer” is even more significant, and that prayer among the citizens of Taiwan was the most useful, especially in light of his nation’s economic recovery and national development. (See this link)

Those who claim that prayer in Jamaica is not bringing about any results might be on to something, but they should not be impetuous in their analysis and evaluation. They must be reminded that wherever genuine prayer is uttered something happens. If indeed our prayers are “enough” in Jamaica in terms of quantity and quality, positive change will come. If there is no constructive change, then the act of praying is not to be blamed, we are to be blamed for not praying effectively or for not praying from lives of integrity. For it was James who wrote in his letter in Scripture that, “”The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

The Role of the Church in Society: Church-Government Nexus

The church in Jamaica has come under relentless scrutiny and assault in recent times. Indeed, the church has been the object of vitriolic diatribes from without its walls and from within. I am one of those who have berated it from within. It was just weeks ago I personally pointed my finger at the church for its failure to play a more potent and transformative social role in the midst of the Gully/Gaza tsunami. I feel I have a right to offer such a critique from within. What I find fascinating is that those without have hurled their criticisms without mercy at this bedrock of Jamaican history and society.

As I thought about my critique and those of others, something dawned on me with respect to the church and society. It is not true that the church is not involved in nation building, as some might claim. It is not true that the church has totally “retreated” behind her four walls. I have come to the obvious conclusion that the church is struggling to live out its dual identity as an entity in this worlds that has “citizenship” in another. Many Christians embrace the conservative theology of heaven, what some might call the ideology of escapism, even while the church seeks to bring to bear in its current context the “livity” of Jesus. The church’s ambivalence and reluctance to engage in large scale social engagement must be seen in light of this analysis.

Whereas I do not seek to absolve the church from blame where Jamaica’s social problems are concerned, I would like to suggest something that should also be obvious. It is not the church’s responsibility to focus on and deal with the problems of Jamaica. This might come as a surprise to many. The Americans realized this truth centuries ago and enshrined this perspective in their constitution. As I reflect on biblical theology of government, I understand that it is the role of government in any country to maintain law and order, protect its citizens, and facilitate social harmony. Paul suggests in Romans 13:1-7 that government is “God’s servants” to do good, punish evil doers, and govern. Pauline theology implies that national security and social stability is the domain and responsibility of the government.

What is critical though is that Pauline theology calls for the church to be actively engaged in paying taxes, giving respect and honour, and submitting to governmental authority. In essence, the church is there to support the government rather than play a major role in governance. This is what I see in the church’s dualistic nature as being in this world but not of this world. Within the same Romans 13 chapter, Paul tells the church that its “salvation was nearer” than it first believed. Let us remember these considerations when we are tempted to bash this unique entity called the Church.