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When radical Middle Eastern terrorists flew American planes into American buildings killing Americans, we responded by going after them in their holes, in their hideouts in Afghanistan and Iraq — in part of what was then known as the Global War on Terror. But what do we do when a radicalised American drives an American truck onto an American sidewalk and kills Americans?

We begin to realise that our struggle is not merely against terror — which, frankly, is a tactic — but against an ideology that warps the body, mind, and soul. How else do you explain a 42-year-old Texas native who served in the United States Army ploughing a rented pickup truck into a crowded sidewalk in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, killing 14 people? How did such an ideology take root in our own country?

Now, this wasn’t the first incident, but it should serve as a wake-up call as we have pushed God and morality out of our classrooms, entertainment industry, and government. We shouldn’t be surprised when destructive ideologies find fertile ground, whether it’s the oppressive and violent actions of ISIS, Hamas, or any other extremist group.

Pray

At a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, when the Constitutional Convention threatened to unravel, Ben Franklin quoted Psalm 127, calling for prayer. It reads, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

In 1787, the focus was on building the house — the house we call America today. Our challenge is guarding that house. The only way to protect America from the threats we face if we want to remain free is by seeking God’s hand of protection upon our nation — and that requires us to pray and to turn to God.

The alternative is to live in fear or surrender our freedoms to a government big enough to protect us from every modern threat. I don’t know about you, but I want both security and freedom. I’m not willing to trade one for the other. Throughout most of America’s history, we’ve managed to enjoy both. And I believe we can again.

In the meantime, here’s one of the best ways to respond to the New Orleans terrorist attack: Pray. Pray for the victims and their families. Ask for healing, comfort, and support for everyone directly affected by this attack. They need healing. Pray for law enforcement and first responders as they deal with the carnage that they’ve seen and witnessed.

Pray for wisdom and protection and success in preventing further attacks of terror. Pray for state and national leaders. Pray that God would guide them to make wise decisions that ensure peace and security. Pray for spiritual renewal. Pray for the hearts of Americans to turn to the Lord, seeking His guidance and his presence in our communities across this nation, and pray for unity and healing.

And, just as importantly, pray that our nation stands together against evil, finding hope and solidarity through faith in God and compassion for one another.