Thoughts, Prayers and the Power of Policy
The Permanent Things: Reflections on Tradition, Culture, and the Good Society
Earlier this week, my dear friend Augustus Merriweather shared an observation with me that’s been on my mind ever since. He had been driving through town when he came across a bumper sticker that, in his words, “rubbed him the wrong way.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing Augustus’s knack for colorful commentary on modern culture.
The bumper sticker in question had two words at the top - “thoughts” and “prayers” - with a bold line slashing through them. Below, two more words stood out: “policy” and “change.” The implication was clear: thoughts and prayers are insufficient, even meaningless, when faced with societal challenges. What we really need, according to this bumper sticker, is political action and policy change.
As Augustus and I reflected on this, I couldn’t help but feel the same tug he did. There was something about this message that missed the mark. It trivialized the role of prayer and seemed to suggest that real change only comes through political action. But this kind of thinking ignores a much deeper truth - that prayer, when offered sincerely and in faith, is anything but hollow.
Prayer is No Small Thing
Let’s talk about prayer. As a Christian, I can’t help but see it as one of the most powerful acts a person can engage in. When we truly pray - when we bring our petitions, confessions, and praises before God - we are not just speaking into the void. We are, quite literally, speaking to the Creator of the universe. James 5:16 reminds us that “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Prayer is not hollow. It is not passive. It is not a “thought” thrown into the wind. It is an act of faith, a recognition of God’s sovereignty, and an invitation for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Prayer, in its deepest sense, is not just about asking God to act. It’s also about aligning our hearts with his will. It shapes us as much as it moves the hand of God. Augustine once said, “True, whole prayer is nothing but love.” When we pray, we are exercising love - for God and for those around us. We recognize our dependence on a power far greater than any human government could ever provide.
In fact, history is full of examples where prayer brought about miraculous changes. Entire nations have been transformed by the prayers of God’s people. One might think of the prayer movements that led to the fall of communism in Eastern Europe or the civil rights advancements in the United States, movements soaked in prayer. Prayer is never insignificant when it springs from genuine faith.
It’s Not Either/Or
Now, before I am misunderstood, let me be clear: I am not suggesting that we abandon the political process. Policy matters, and Christians should not shy away from engaging in the hard work of shaping laws that reflect justice, mercy, and truth. As citizens of both the City of God and the city of man, we have a duty to care about how our societies are ordered. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” We must work toward righteous governance.
But, as I considered the bumper sticker’s message further, I couldn’t help but wonder: What kind of policy and change do they mean? Typically, those who dismiss “thoughts and prayers” as meaningless, and instead push for “policy and change,” have their own specific political agenda in mind. It’s easy to make blanket statements about change, but harder to acknowledge that political solutions often come with a heavy dose of partisan division. What one person views as necessary reform, another sees as a step toward ruin.
That’s why this line of thinking is troubling - it paints political change as universally good, but seldom accounts for the fact that “change” is often in the eye of the beholder. More often than not, when someone advocates for change, they mean change on their terms. If the bumper sticker’s owner were a fan of small-government conservatism, for example, would they be so quick to endorse a sweeping policy change proposed by a progressive administration? Unlikely.
Balancing Prayer and Action
To dismiss prayer as though it were simply a substitute for action is both shortsighted and a misunderstanding of what prayer truly is. Prayer and action are not mutually exclusive; they are partners in bringing about true change. We ought to remember the wise words of A.W. Tozer, who said, “The church that is waiting for the Lord to do everything is waiting in vain. We must also work.” Yes, there is a time to come out of our prayer closets and put our hands to the plow. But we do so under the guidance of God’s grace, recognizing that any effort we make is in vain unless it is first saturated in prayer.
Christ is Lord of all - including politics. Every sphere of life falls under his dominion. So yes, politics matter. Policy matters. But neither matter more than God himself. A policy devoid of prayer is like a tree without roots; it may stand for a time, but it will not flourish, and it will not last.
The apostle Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” This doesn’t mean we neglect our civic duties, nor does it mean we sit idly by waiting for God to fix all the world’s problems. Instead, it means we continually bring our concerns before God as we act with wisdom, compassion, and perseverance.
How to Approach Change as Christians
1. Before you engage in political action, commit yourself to prayer. Seek God’s will in how you should respond to the issues of the day, knowing that he often works through the prayers of his people to bring about change.
2. Don’t shy away from the political process. Work for good policies that reflect God’s justice, but always do so with humility, remembering that human efforts are limited.
3. Finally, recognize that political change starts with personal change. Live out the values you want to see in society - charity, mercy, and justice - and let your life be a witness to the power of God at work in the world.
In closing, thank you for taking the time to reflect with me today. I hope these words encourage you to consider the power of prayer and action, working together for the good of society. If this has resonated with you, I invite you to share it with others and subscribe to our ongoing reflections. And don’t forget - more resources are available weekly, including devotionals and Bible studies, which can be found at Walking Points.
In Christ,
Russell F. Scruton