ISIS: How Should We Respond?

Kent Murawski

How should Christians respond to ISIS?

Jihad
Photo Credit: Zoriah via flickr

Persecution of God’s people is nothing new. It’s been happening since the very beginning, starting with Abel. In a sense, Cain persecuted Abel for His God-honoring faith. Furthermore, Jesus told us, “If they hated me the will hate you.” (see John 15:18)

First, let me say, I am no expert on ISIS or Islam. I don’t speak Arabic, Farsi or Turkish (other than the few short phrases I learned when I went to Turkey). But I am a thoughtful Christian. After watching the video of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians being beheaded by masked ISIS militants, I knew I needed to learn more about what’s happening. You can watch the edited video commemorating the 21 martyrs here ( http://21martyrs.com ). If you do watch the unedited video, use caution, it is extremely graphic.

In an effort to understand what’s happening, I have done a good amount of thinking, reading and praying to formulate a personal response. Hopefully this will help you as well. I’ve included a few of the best resources that helped me at the end of the article.

Our Response

So how should Christians respond to ISIS? First, lets just acknowledge that many of us who aren’t experiencing persecution for our Christian faith are looking at it from a different vantage point. The majority of those in the U.S. have experienced little if any persecution in comparison to many of our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. This makes it hard for us to relate and easy to disconnect because it is far away. But we shouldn’t allow our proximity to be an excuse to keep our heads buried in the sand. Neither should we be numb or indifferent while our brothers and sisters around the world are suffering and dying for their faith. Here are a few ways we can and should respond:

1) Pray for those being persecuted.

Recently, after another 90+ Syrian Christians were abducted by ISIS, I immediately began praying. How do I pray for persecuted Christians?

  • Deliverance – I pray that God would deliver them and spare their lives. Though God does not always choose to do that, I always start that way.
  • Strength – I pray that God would strengthen their faith so they wouldn’t deny Jesus. When talking to Christians around the world (especially from the Eastern part of the world) many of them expect persecution for their faith. I have been told that rather than praying that the persecution wouldn’t happen, pray that God would give them strength to remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of it.
  • Justice – I pray that God would bring to justice those who are doing the persecuting.

This may shock you, but I also pray for those involved in ISIS. Remember, one of our greatest Biblical heroes was also a Christian killer. His name was Saul (who went on to become Paul). He wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, remember? On his way to Damascus one day, Jesus Himself knocks Saul to the ground and says, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” (see Acts 9:4). Why? Because Jesus takes the persecution of His people personally.

2) Respond in love not revenge.

We can respond in love by being careful what we say and taking our anger to God in prayer. The Lord says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord” (see Romans 12:17-21). That’s why love, not revenge should be our first response. We love and we leave the vengeance to Him.

The Bible tells us to overcome evil with good (see Romans 12:21). Rather than letting anger or hatred get the best of you, why not bless a Muslim neighbor unexpectedly or give to an organization that is reaching Muslims for Christ? People International is a great one. In fact, as a church we support a couple that ministers in Turkey through People International. If you would like to donate to them, you can donate to Journey Church on their behalf or contact me and I can make the connection for you.

3) Realize God’s ways are different from our ways.

Like it or not, sometimes the seeds of martyrdom are what initiate change.

The 2 nd century church father, Tertullian, wrote, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church,” implying that their sacrifice leads others to repentance and life in Christ.

Jim Elliot is a great example. For those of you who aren’t familiar, he and four other men were called to reach a dangerous tribe in the Amazon called the Aucas (prounounced ow-cuz). The Aucas had killed any outsiders who were found in their territory. After several years of preparation and some promising contact with the Aucas through fly-overs, Jim and his four friends set foot in Auca territory. After some initial friendly contact, they were speared to death by several Auca warriors a few days after landing.

Less than two years after this horrific event, Elizabeth Elliot and her daughter were able to establish contact and move into the Auca village where many of them came to Jesus. They are now a friendly tribe. You can read the full story in her book, Through the Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot.

Though it was a tragic event, God had deemed it necessary to reach the Aucas. Now is the time to mobilize missionaries, not retreat in fear. Whether they are nationals trained to minister to their own people, traditional missionaries who raise support to go, or modern missionaries establish businesses or work in-country, we need more missionaries not less.

4) Give to missions.

Now is the time to give to those missionary efforts that are seeking to reach the unreached. God’s heart beats for every nation, and before He returns for His Church every people group must hear the Good News of the Gospel.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 ESV)

According to this verse, we can speed up the Lord’s coming! Missiologists say this verse is a reality in the next 10-15 years. We may be the generation that sees the second coming of our King, Jesus Christ, but we must remain focused.

The Question of Force

Undoubtedly, there are many opinions about whether or not physical force should be used by to stop ISIS. Though much of the time I’m a pacifist, I sometimes think force is necessary (by countries and governments); especially when a group is using violence against innocent people to accomplish their agenda. You could even paint a Biblical picture for the use of force in certain circumstances. Take Romans 13 for example. It speaks of authorities being “sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong” (see Romans 13:4 NLT). Obviously using force should be a last resort, but at what point does force become necessary? In some cases, it seems as if the world powers wait far too long to use force i.e. Nazi Germany, Rwanda and now maybe modern day Syria where ISIS began. Then in other cases, countries (including the USA) have been too quick with the use of force and it proves unfruitful. My point isn’t to convince you one way or the other but to open up the conversation.

What are your thoughts about how you should respond personally to ISIS? How should the nations of the world respond?  (Answers will be moderated. Please be respectful whatever your opinion may be.)

Helpful Resources

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3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out

By Kent Murawski • July 28, 2025
When was the last time you ended a summer feeling more energized than when it started? ​​Summer brings changes for many of us—minimizing our motivation to work, disrupting work routines, and altering schedules. With summertime often comes a desire to slow down, and yet, we're not always sure how to do that. This week is my last new post for a little while (though I may resend some popular posts from the 2024-2025 season). I’m pressing pause to create space and pour my energy into finishing my new book. But stay tuned—when I’m back in six weeks, the newsletter will be refreshed with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss! Read to the end to find out more. In this week's edition of Catalyst, I want to share 3 ideas to help you effectively navigate summer. 3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out 1) Stop and Think (Reflect) Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For Socrates, life was more than pursuing the things that most men occupy themselves with, things like wealth, household affairs, status and position, and political clubs and factions. He believed that life only has value and meaning when we question what we think and know, and by more deeply understanding ourselves and others. The beginning of summer is an ideal time for reflection, and we all tend to occupy ourselves with the things Socrates talked about more than we probably care to admit. Taking a reflection day at the end of each quarter (consider removing "or trimester" for conciseness) can be an effective way to navigate seasonal changes. Finding a place far enough removed from your normal day-to-day life will help you get into a different headspace. A friend of mine often says: Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. I've used hotels, monasteries, or even a beautiful outdoor location if the weather permits. Here are a few questions you might want to ask: How am I feeling spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? How are my closest relationships doing? Am I living out my core values? Is my life moving in a direction I feel good about? What do I need to change or adjust? Here are a few ideas for how to conduct a reflection day: Prayer, meditation, or silence Review your biggest wins and assess your goals from the previous quarter Work on high-impact projects that require focus Preview the upcoming quarter and set your Big 3 goals: personal, marriage/family, work/business 2) Cut the Non-Essentials (Reevaluate) Both my wife and I work, so when summer arrives, we need to re-evaluate our schedules to accommodate our twelve-year-old son. In the past, I've made the mistake of trying to keep the same workload despite being home with him two days a week. I ended up frustrated all summer long, living in the tension of wanting to spend more time with him while trying to carry the same workload. Summer requires me to pare down my work roles to the essentials: Writing (currently working on a new book) Executive coaching (6-8 coaching clients) Relationship building and outreach Necessary administration (keeping this to 30% or less of my responsibilities) Moving forward, I will probably keep things this way. It feels more sustainable than the unrealistic expectations I previously held myself to. Once you define your key roles and responsibilities, the question becomes how to achieve better work-life integration not work-life balance. I use the Big 3 System. Choose only three big things to focus on at one time—quarterly, weekly, and daily. That's right, just three. Those three things are usually a combination of personal, marriage/family, and work. Each quarter, I typically choose 1 personal goal, 1 marriage and family goal, and 1-3 work goals, depending on the quarter. Here are a few questions to consider. If you have a partner, discuss them together: How does your schedule change in the summer? What work-related responsibilities and expectations do you need to adjust? What are 3 things you want to do this summer? What do you NOT want to do? 3) Choose What Matters Most (Rest) Paring down expectations isn't only for work, it applies to rest, too. Because it's summer, there is the temptation to want to fit in everything (—vacation, visit family, trips, fun, etc). In the past, we would try to do so much that by the time fall rolled around, we were exhausted. Last year, out of necessity, we planned a staycation instead of going away. It was one of the best vacations we've had in a long time. And besides, summers in New England are gorgeous! We went to see a movie, ate out, went to Six Flags, had a beach day, and took days in between just to relax. We loved it so much, we're doing a staycation again this year! Write down your list of summer expectations and plans. Now, cross out everything that feels exhausting and unfun. Don't try to fit everything in this summer. Pick a couple of things that feel life-giving and focus on those. Your Move Reflect. Re-evaluate. Rest. Choose one of the three and work on it in the next 24 hours. Plan a day of reflection. Have a conversation with your spouse. Choose how you're going to rest this summer. I don't care which one it is, just take action. Here’s one question to consider: What would you stop doing this summer if no one was watching? Most people think summer is about maximizing experiences and fitting everything in, but the truth is that the most productive leaders use summer to strategically subtract, not add. They understand that rest isn't what you do after the work is done—it's what makes the work sustainable in the first place. You've got this.

Why you're exhausted before fall even arrives...

By Kent Murawski • July 23, 2025
When was the last time you ended a summer feeling more energized than when it started? ​​Summer brings changes for many of us—minimizing our motivation to work, disrupting work routines, and altering schedules. With summertime often comes a desire to slow down, and yet, we're not always sure how to do that. This week is my last new post for a little while (though I may resend some popular posts from the 2024-2025 season). I’m pressing pause to create space and pour my energy into finishing my new book. But stay tuned—when I’m back in six weeks, the newsletter will be refreshed with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss! Read to the end to find out more. In this week's edition of Catalyst, I want to share 3 ideas to help you effectively navigate summer. 3 Ways to Master Summer Without Burning Out 1) Stop and Think (Reflect) Socrates famously said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." For Socrates, life was more than pursuing the things that most men occupy themselves with, things like wealth, household affairs, status and position, and political clubs and factions. He believed that life only has value and meaning when we question what we think and know, and by more deeply understanding ourselves and others. The beginning of summer is an ideal time for reflection, and we all tend to occupy ourselves with the things Socrates talked about more than we probably care to admit. Taking a reflection day at the end of each quarter (consider removing "or trimester" for conciseness) can be an effective way to navigate seasonal changes. Finding a place far enough removed from your normal day-to-day life will help you get into a different headspace. A friend of mine often says: Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. I've used hotels, monasteries, or even a beautiful outdoor location if the weather permits. Here are a few questions you might want to ask: How am I feeling spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically? How are my closest relationships doing? Am I living out my core values? Is my life moving in a direction I feel good about? What do I need to change or adjust? Here are a few ideas for how to conduct a reflection day: Prayer, meditation, or silence Review your biggest wins and assess your goals from the previous quarter Work on high-impact projects that require focus Preview the upcoming quarter and set your Big 3 goals: personal, marriage/family, work/business 2) Cut the Non-Essentials (Reevaluate) Both my wife and I work, so when summer arrives, we need to re-evaluate our schedules to accommodate our twelve-year-old son. In the past, I've made the mistake of trying to keep the same workload despite being home with him two days a week. I ended up frustrated all summer long, living in the tension of wanting to spend more time with him while trying to carry the same workload. Summer requires me to pare down my work roles to the essentials: Writing (currently working on a new book) Executive coaching (6-8 coaching clients) Relationship building and outreach Necessary administration (keeping this to 30% or less of my responsibilities) Moving forward, I will probably keep things this way. It feels more sustainable than the unrealistic expectations I previously held myself to. Once you define your key roles and responsibilities, the question becomes how to achieve better work-life integration not work-life balance. I use the Big 3 System. Choose only three big things to focus on at one time—quarterly, weekly, and daily. That's right, just three. Those three things are usually a combination of personal, marriage/family, and work. Each quarter, I typically choose 1 personal goal, 1 marriage and family goal, and 1-3 work goals, depending on the quarter. Here are a few questions to consider. If you have a partner, discuss them together: How does your schedule change in the summer? What work-related responsibilities and expectations do you need to adjust? What are 3 things you want to do this summer? What do you NOT want to do? 3) Choose What Matters Most (Rest) Paring down expectations isn't only for work, it applies to rest, too. Because it's summer, there is the temptation to want to fit in everything (—vacation, visit family, trips, fun, etc). In the past, we would try to do so much that by the time fall rolled around, we were exhausted. Last year, out of necessity, we planned a staycation instead of going away. It was one of the best vacations we've had in a long time. And besides, summers in New England are gorgeous! We went to see a movie, ate out, went to Six Flags, had a beach day, and took days in between just to relax. We loved it so much, we're doing a staycation again this year! Write down your list of summer expectations and plans. Now, cross out everything that feels exhausting and unfun. Don't try to fit everything in this summer. Pick a couple of things that feel life-giving and focus on those. Your Move Reflect. Re-evaluate. Rest. Choose one of the three and work on it in the next 24 hours. Plan a day of reflection. Have a conversation with your spouse. Choose how you're going to rest this summer. I don't care which one it is, just take action. Here’s one question to consider: What would you stop doing this summer if no one was watching? Most people think summer is about maximizing experiences and fitting everything in, but the truth is that the most productive leaders use summer to strategically subtract, not add. They understand that rest isn't what you do after the work is done—it's what makes the work sustainable in the first place. You've got this.

Crisis Creates Clarity

By Kent Murawski • May 26, 2025
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‘When You Hurry, You No Longer Care’: A Wake-Up Call from the Monastery

By Kent Murawski • May 16, 2025
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The View from 50

By Kent Murawski • May 7, 2025
I always thought the big decisions were what shaped my life trajectory, but my 50th birthday celebration revealed something way more interesting—it’s actually the tiny, everyday choices that determine where you ultimately end up. It was the most meaningful birthday I’ve ever had.  Fair warning, this is a long one, but it will be worth […]

The Productive Power of Strategic Pauses

By Kent Murawski • March 19, 2025
Your capacity to recognize when to pause may be more valuable than knowing when to push. Lately, I haven’t had anything to write, which is a rare occurrence. Sure, I could try to pound something out or pull some unused content out of the archives (which I have tons of), but here’s what I’ve discovered: […]

How Are You? (The Success Predictor)

By Kent Murawski • March 6, 2025
How are you? Your answer to this question reveals more about your future success and well-being than any strategic plan. We often wear busyness as a badge of honor. Ask ten people how they are doing, and nine out of ten times the answer will be, “busy.” That’s not the way things ought to be. […]

The Hidden Cost of Being Too Hard On Yourself

By Kent Murawski • January 30, 2025
The weight of unrealistic self-expectations can feel crushing, especially at the start of a new year. January is not even over, and I’m already feeling overwhelmed.  It’s often said that we can be our own worst bosses or that the most challenging person to lead is the person in the mirror.  What do you do […]

The Missed Opportunity in Failed Dreams

By Kent Murawski • January 16, 2025
Failed dreams can become your greatest victories. While dreams are essential for hope and growth, unfulfilled dreams can breed disillusionment. Yet what appears to be a “failed” dream often reveals itself as an opportunity. Barbara Corcoran, the renowned Shark Tank Investor, once said, “All my best successes came on the heels of failure.” This wisdom […]

Less Is More (Why Resolutions Don’t Work)

By Kent Murawski • January 4, 2025
Did you know that 92% of people give up on their goals by January 12th? Pretty shocking, right? I used to be part of that statistic. Every year, I’d write down my goals with excitement, only to find them collecting dust by February. It was frustrating and, honestly, a bit embarrassing. But then I discovered […]