No moral high horses allowed

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 21 April 2013

The world reacted in shock at news of the Boston marathon bombings, leaving three dead and more than 140 injured.  Almost immediately, social media was flooded with calls to “Pray for Boston.”

And then there were calls to “Pray for Iraq” and “Pray for Afghanistan,”  following unconfirmed rumours of a link to Islamist terrorism and a presumed need for more balanced prayer.  But the three, the 140 and the thousands all need our prayers.

As my colleague Pip Berglund put it, “No moral high horses allowed right now.  All those who experience fear, oppression, physical and emotional pain and cruelty need our prayers.  Those who come alongside in all areas where peace, shalom, hope and humanity is broken need our prayers.

“Please don’t just pray for Boston or Iraq or PNG women or asylum seekers – please cry out for them all.  Let these situations transform us and call us into response so that all our cries are heard and responded to.”

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.