When overwhelmed by graphic, even apocalyptic, pictures of current world events, our prayers for mankind may start to become shallow, even half-hearted, and tainted by opinions. Praying for some people and praying against other people just doesn’t feel logical or inspired. Could there be other options?

Jesus said to his followers, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

That little phrase “not as the world giveth” tells much about how, when he prayed, Jesus opened up to a perspective that enabled him to rise above worldly revenge, selfishness, terror, and loathing. Instead of praying blandly from the perspective of what the world was giving him, Jesus kept his entire attention on what his Father, God, was giving him. “I go unto my Father,” he declared with confidence (John 14:12).