A Time To Pray

Setting all politics aside, it is time to pray.

One only needs to turn on the television or read any headline to see the evil presence that has been let lose all over the world. Sadly the primary targets of the evil doers are innocent Americans serving their country at Embassies scattered throughout the Middle East and the African Continent.

Their evil stems from a deep hatred of Americans and the beliefs we hold. These malevolent- mongers believe in a different god than the one I believe in, which is their human right. Wars have been fought for thousands of years because of belief in a dissimilar god or because others adhere to a different religion. What we witnessed this week is not new. Historically these profane wars were fought for economic reasons, only masked as sacred indignation. Furthermore the level of criminal behavior that is being exhibited by these modern day Moabites exceeds the definition of evil. Sodomy and torture before death, and then dead bodies being dragged through the streets like a cheap trophy would not be pardoned by any God. Godlessness is always worse. The enemy may defend their behavior in the name of god, but the truth is simply evil.

Have we gone too far in acceptance of diversity? Are we fearful of insulting someone because of a differing view, regardless of the immorality of that view? Is our fear leading to a neutral acceptance which will result in evil spawning from a so-called religious belief?

It is time to pray to God. Not just to any god, but to the only God. We can no longer be afraid to express our belief in the sovereignty of Jehovah, the God of Abraham, and the Father of Christ… the Creator. I am not proposing that my God be shoved down one’s throat until they cry “I believe!” I hope and pray that all will turn to Christ, but I respect belief enough to honor the uniqueness of it. But if we choose to be silent, out of fear or some artificial respect, how will they ever hear about God?

Apostle Paul wrote-

” For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—“

Without blemish and free from accusation! God sees us as perfect regardless of our imperfections. If God see’s us like that, why can’t we? We can no longer be fearful of declaring God. It is not a matter of right or wrong, it is a matter of truth!

It is time to pray. Pray that God will encourage, that He will protect, that He will forgive. Pray that He will again bring Light into the darkness that threatens.

Amen