As Terror Creeps In, What is the Church’s Role?

Over the weekend, the world mourned violent and deadly attacks in Paris. Now, strikes and raids in the Middle East continue, and those ravaged by war are seeking safety. But the most controversial question remains: “Where should they go?”

In addition to that pressing question, the American Pastors Network is also asking: “How should we pray?” and “What is the Church’s Role?”

APN President Sam Rohrer and Pennsylvania Pastors Network (PPN, www.papastors.net) Executive Director Gary Dull talked about these disturbing headlines this week on the daily one-hour “Stand in the Gap Today” radio program.

“In these extremely trying times, when the rest of the world is considering policy, religious tests, how to handle refugees and their children, and other pressing matters, we must first and foremost consider prayer and turning to God for guidance,” Rohrer said. “The Lord’s way is the only way in all things, especially when so much turmoil and strife plague our world daily. What should be the focus of our prayers? What is the role and focus for pastors? These are questions we must fervently ask.”

The American Pastors Network gives answers on the daily “Stand in the Gap Today” radio program.  On the show this week, the hosts mentioned The Presidential Prayer Team, the largest prayer movement for the nation with 5.2 million members established in September 2001, which recently issued a Prayer Alert calling for prayer about:

• God’s protection over America and freedom from fear of imminent ISIS actions in the United States.
• Law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the U.S to apprehend ISIS operatives on American soil.
• That Americans would take the ISIS threat seriously.
• The decision to bring Syrian refugees into the U.S. and the vetting process.

This week, presidential hopeful Ted Cruz introduced legislation that would allow Congress to bar the 10,000 Syrian refugees that may be crossing the U.S. border before the end of the year, according to the Washington Post. Likewise, according to the Prayer Alert, Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) is calling for a temporary stop to Syrian refugees from coming into the country. TheHill.com is also reporting that Speaker Paul Ryan says the House may vote this week on a bill to pause the refugee influx.

In Pennsylvania, the home of PPN, Gov. Tom Wolf has stated that he will not prevent Syrian refugees from entering the state.

“It is a serious matter that Gov. Wolf is welcoming Syrian refugees into our state with open arms,” Dull said. “Yes, as Christians, we are to clothe, feed and care for the poor and the lost, as Jesus commanded. But when it comes to allowing potentially dangerous people with possible evil intentions into our own home, we must think, act and react in a manner that is safest for our nation. Many other governors have already said their states will not be opening their doors to refugees because there is simply no way to know who truly needs asylum and who is evil. There is too much at risk.”