We all know that on Christmas Day a terrorist tried to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner. This tragedy was thwarted thanks to the bravery of his fellow passengers. Most of all, we need to thank God that 289 lives were saved.

But now, once again, there is fear and anxiety about air travel. The government is trying to calm the public. The president is doing his best to reassure people that flying will still be safe. Yet instead of seeing one another as human beings, we have made this debate increasingly political.

New rules for passengers have come into effect, which will make flying a lot more inconvenient. Our government is too quickly relying on technology that may calm the public, but that terrorists can just as quickly outsmart. Billions of dollars, and just as many hours, have been wasted. So the most recent escalation of security, particularly for flights headed to the US, is making people angry and fearful.

I have flown millions of miles and have visited nearly every continent. Flying used to be a joy and a privilege. People working in the travel industry did their part to make a trip as enjoyable as possible. Now it is different. People have become fearful and isolated. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else. And so the person sitting next to me is no longer a potential friend—an interesting human being with a story to tell—but a potential killer.

I am as worried as everyone else. In the New Year some of my children and grandchildren will be traveling abroad. Naturally, I am concerned for their safety.

There must be a better and a cheaper way. We can turn this around. But God has to become part of the equation to make flying safe and enjoyable again. We need to learn to entrust our lives into God’s hands each time we board a plane—in the same way our forefathers did when they boarded sailing ships for the New World, centuries ago. We cannot only rely on our intelligence and technology to save us.

This is where prayer comes in. I am sure many people already pray by themselves before they fly. But think of the power and the sense of community that a common prayer would bring each time a plane departs and heads for its destination.

Instead of hiring air marshals, the federal government should hire air chaplains. When the safety instructions are given before departure, the chaplain should lead the plane in prayer, asking for God’s protection during the flight. In the same way, a prayer of thanksgiving could be said by this chaplain upon arrival.

Just imagine all the dollars that could be saved if we could relax and do away with all the extra security. Flying could again be a joy --an opportunity to relate to and associate with other people.

Johann Christoph Arnold is a pastor and author of ten books, including Be Not Afraid: Overcoming the Fear of Death.

 

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Your Turn. Tell us what you thought about this article:

Responses

Makes a lot of sense to me.  However, in our current culture where we can't even have Christmas trees in public places I don't think this will go over very well with our secular political leaders.
I do pray for myself & my family & friends who are traveling, now I will start praying for all of the people on the plane I'm traveling.
Thank you!

Jan Swanda

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As much as I have come to beleive in the power of prayer,my prayer is as always that more people have eyes to see and ears to hear the power of the gospel as I have. In the short time that I've been a beleiver,God has been so good to me.He has revealed things to me and blessed me unconditionaly in so many ways...........
To God Be The Glory

Bill Keenan
West Park N.Y.

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What a Statement!  I Absolutely agree that God has been put on the back burner Long Enough.  He IS In Ultimate Control When We Give His Power BACK TO HIM AND Take it from the enemy of our souls salvation.

Thank you for sharing this absolutely Needed information at just the Right Time.

Paula Booher
Springfield, MO

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The problem is far more serious,  why do so many people hate the West. We need not only prayer we need to change from being a materialist society to a spiritual one. We need people who will lead us and teach us and this is what we should be praying for.

Tony Carey
Ireland

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It is certainly an idea worth my attention. I pray whenever I fly, and always ask God to be the co-pilot and protect everyone on-board. Each day, I pray for myself, my family and friends, co-workers and bosses, my church family and staff, and all my neighbors near, far, and around the world. (I believe I am my brothers' and sisters' keeper).

Imagine if all Believers in flight joined together in prayer. It would create a true ring of protection and send a song of joy to God's ears...saving billions now spent on technology and weaponry.

Regrettably, with our multi-religious society and often vindictive political system, this concept would never be suggested out loud...not even a whisper from the power that be.

Eunice Lewis-Broome

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Excellent, what more can I say.

Rodney Cordner
Portadown
N. Ireland