Peter Ould, an Anglican vicar and blogger in the UK suggests some ways we can respond whenever there is news of a terror threat:
Secondly, prayer for our enemies reminds us that no-one is beyond the grace of God, despite their sin. Praying for your enemies rests in a good understanding not only of God’s wrath against sin but also of his mercy towards those who fear him. To pray for a terrorist is to with it assume the mighty work of salvation that can attend even the vilest offender.
Thirdly, prayer for our enemies incites social responsibility, for it is not just good enough to pray for things. For example, praying that someone would do something about the local thugs who vandalise the bus shelter should stir one to do something about it. Why are there teenagers hanging around night after night? What’s going on it their homes and family life? What could we do to give their life more purpose? Prayer for our enemies induces us to do something for our enemies.
So don’t let whatever happens over the next few days get in the way of you and God and his creation. Don’t get angry or afraid – rather pray for the bombers and murderers and those who support them. See whether God does a transformation in your heart as you do.
It’s a shame that having got rid of the threat of IRA extremism it has been replaced by Muslim terrorism fostered in the bosom of the immigrant population we have welcomed in. The churches have called for calm and for support for the Muslim communities in our country in Church of England News yesterday.
A friend of mine was outside Harrods as a bomb went off there in the 80’s and I worked in the centre of bomb alley in the City of London in the 90’s when there were large detonations of buildings on either side, though at different times. I would say though that these events, although dreadful are not the norm of life in the UK and there is less risk of danger from them than say being knocked down by a car or being killed in a tornado. However a few precautions are sensible at this time including avoiding major events in buildings and not hanging around airports, railway stations or entertainment venues.
With these precautions one is relatively safe in the UK.
I actually do not blame the foolish young men who are prepared to die taking innocent people with them. My ire is reserved for the wicked old men who peddle hate and brainwash them into these acts but, as cowards always do, keep their distance and for those apologists who are prepared to publicly make excuses for them among their communities and outside. We must however not blame the communities and innocent people who are members of them.
A rather telling cartoon on our take dropped into my email box this morning showing a bandaged man in a hospital bed being tended by a nurse. The conversation goes like this.
Bandaged one: “But I was promised 72 virgins”
Nurse: “Then why the (bleep) would you come to Glasgow”
Ho Hum