When Scripture Is Misapplied: A Biblical Response to Broad Claims About War and Prayer

Recent comments from Pope Francis have stirred up quite the theological conversation—and not the quiet, thoughtful kind. More like the “did he really just say that?” kind.

He points to Isaiah 1:15 and essentially says God doesn’t listen to the prayers of people involved in war. And on the surface, you hear that and think, “Well… yeah, that sounds nice. Peace, love, everybody hold hands.” It hits you right in the feelings. Real clean. Real simple.

But then you actually open the Bible… and it’s like—hold on a second. What are we doing here?

Because when you step back and look at the whole of Scripture—not just one verse pulled out like it’s the only one in there—that idea starts to fall apart pretty quick.

It’s one of those moments where you go, “Are we reading the same book?”