I grew up feeling pretty exposed
and helpless
and alone.
Somehow, the idea of "getting things done" and helping when people hurt or are afraid – stuck.
And in this time when the winds have blown down
the city where wealth, glamor, and power once reigned – I cannot forget the people who have lost children
homes
friends
family
livelihoods
histories
neighborhoods
perspective…hope.
What can I do to help?
What can we do?
Enter the Prayer Ninjas (see the awesome photo above).
It sometimes seems so small and slight and lame
even to those of us who live and die by the prayers sent
walking
driving
running
midnight waking
working
grocery shopping…
But Prayer Ninjas – though sometimes discouraged –
have this hope
that the God they cannot see
intimately loves them
and the crazy neighbors
enough to invest time
and spirit…pneuma
in their ninja lives.
Most folks who pray
who knock
or whack on God's door
with faith
and abandon
are called "prayer warriors."
I prefer Prayer Ninjas.
"A ninja or shinobi was a covert agent or mercenary in feudal Japan who specialized in unorthodox warfare. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, and open combat in certain situations." (Wikipedia)
We are in a war
where despair
and violence
and torment
seek to rule the day
and night.
Prayer ninjas know that they do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the forces of the unseen enemy that comes to steal and destroy.
The Message puts it this way (in Ephesians 6:10 -12) minus the ninja references:
A Fight to the Finish
And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
So if despair
or pain
or fear stalks you
and judgment jerks you around,
remember that you are a Ninja
a Prayer Ninja at least
and you can call out all of heaven to come to your aid
or the aid of folks far away
awash in pain and dislocation
or nearby
and so alone
that their teeth hurt
and they wonder if today should be their last.
Pray.
You've got the power.
And if you aren't too sure about this praying thing
call on someone who's life reveals some Prayer Ninja-ness
(look for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
And ask them for help.
They may offer to stop, drop, and pray
with you or for you
or pray as they practice their nunchuking
or stealth.
It's your call.
But make the "call"
If you have something funky in your life
something that follows you around like a rabid dog
or you know of needs
in a friend
stranger
or even a "rival's" life
try your hand at becoming a Prayer Ninja.
The second coolest thing about prayer is that it is personal
private
and NEVER professional.
God just wants to have a relationship with you.
To hang out
to help out
to lead
and to love you.
Prayer is a good first step to that relationship
and to helping out
folks in need.
And no Ninja
mastered it on the first go.
So get out there and kick some evil upside the head.
