Yesterday when the news broke and I was watching people dancing and celebrating, I didn't really feel like celebrating. It was surreal... I felt like I should be relieved but I wondered where Ayman Al Zawahiri was and what he'd get up to. I also suspected that the tiny groups that were born from Al Qaeda would also be up to no good. So I had a straight face as I watched the news. Then when I got texts of jubilation, my hubby said something about it not being right to be excited about a death--or more precisely a murder. That did put a damper on things a bit and make me remember he was human and had a history and people who lost a loved one--no matter how evil he was. But then a friend sent me a text that made me realize why, in addition to bracing ourselves for whatever, we should not be dancing about this:
That was very sobering and humbling.
So yes, prayer is needed for so many reasons.
And I can totally understand what Almaz is saying about people not liking Osama bin Laden but not being able to admit it publicly. I doubt his death makes them freer to speak. His ghost remains in those who served him and his second-in-command. I doubt anyone living in that area will come out and profess allegiance to the US--not when within the vicinity of Osama's followers. Just reading
Pakistan's response makes it clear to me how precarious a position they are in. So when we pray for security and peace for our nation, let's not forget to pray for the oppressed/innocent/fearful who do not have the freedom we have.