Matthew 24 records Jesus telling his disciples that wars, famines and earthquakes would come before the end. The warning leaves Christians with a sober frame for reading the news: a broken world should grieve them, but it should not surprise them.

That frame reaches current fears and reports, from Ebola outbreaks and conflict between the United States and Iran to the persecution of Christians under governments and communities hostile to the faith. Scripture gives the church a defined response. Paul told Timothy that petitions, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving should be made for all people, including kings and others in authority, so people may live peaceful and godly lives.

For followers of Jesus, prayer is part of public obedience. The church asks God to heal the sick, restrain violence, guide rulers, protect the innocent, strengthen persecuted believers and bring sinners to repentance. Scripture places that work on the church before the next crisis appears.