PRAY FOR PEACE

"Father God bring us peace!  Please!  Bring us peace!"

I cried for our nation this morning as I cried out to God in prayer.  I prayed for peace.

What have we become?  How did our morals, our respect for the law, and our Christian livelihoods so quickly decline?  How did we let satan get such a huge stronghold in our Christian-founded nation? Most importantly, why are we letting the evil, the hate, the lawlessness, and the terror continue?

We aren't spending enough time in God's Holy Word.  We're not focusing our attention on obeying God and doing what makes God happy.  We've strayed away from living as Christ directed.  We're spending less time praying for one another and praying for peace.  We've stopped voting for and insisting upon godly leaders.  We need to get back to living our lives for Christ, and producing the fruits of the Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23 NASB

We're spending too much time listening to (and falling for) the evil, hateful, violent, degrading, race baiting lies of the enemy.  Those who seek to do the devil's work are only too eager to seek, kill and destroy.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

John 10:10 NASB

I can't help but to think that if we spent more time honoring God, taking action in our nation as we stand for God, and less time standing back watching satan's minions destroy our nation, that we could take our country back and make it strong once again.

My fellow Christ followers, my fellow law-abiding citizens, my fellow Americans - it's time to take a stand for our lives, our families, our nation, and our God!  Generations before us dropped the ball, and it's been rolling downhill, gaining momentum and size ever since.  I call out to you to take action now.  If not for yourselves then for those who come behind us. The future of our children, our children's children, and generations to come depends on it.

The great Charles H. Spurgeon put it this way in one of his sermons from 1888:

"It is today as it was in the Reformer's days.  Decision is needed.  Here is the day for the man, where is the man for the day?  We who have had the gospel passed to us by martyr hands dare not trifle with it, nor sit by and hear it denied by traitor, who pretend to love it, but inwardly abhor every line of it...Look you, sirs, there are ages yet to come.  If the Lord does not speedily appear, there will come another generation, and another, and all these generations will be tainted and injured if we are not faithful to God and to His truth today. We have come to a turning-point in the road.  If we turn to the right, mayhap our children and our children's children will go that way; but if we turn to the left, generations yet unborn will curse our names for having been unfaithful to God and to His Word." 

                                        - (http://www.baptist2baptist.net/b2barticle.asp?ID=66)

We need to take a stand now!  That stand begins on our knees, and continues on our feet, heels dug in, our Armor on, fighting against satan and fighting for Christ.

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God,

so that you will be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand firm.  

Stand therefore, having fastened on the BELT OF TRUTH, 

and having put on the BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and, as

SHOES for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the GOSPEL OF PEACE.

In all circumstances take up the SHIELD OF FAITH,

with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the HELMET OF SALVATION,

and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD,

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"

Ephesians 6:13-18 ESV

We must preface all action with prayer and petition to the Lord!  

"Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God."

Philippians 4:6 NASB

We must never rely on our own understanding, but seek the Lord's guidance at all times!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heard and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB

Oh that we would ALL seek the wisdom of God and PRAY FOR PEACE!

I call upon God's strength and His peace in this tumultuous world.  I don't have the answers.  I'm just praying to the One and Only True God Who does!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7 NASB

I'm praying for peace for myself, my family, my church, my community, our leaders, my country and the world.  God directs us to pray for these in His Holy Word, and it just makes good sense!  

Paul put it in just the right words in his letter to Timothy:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings

be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions,

that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV

I'm Praying for Peace.

Won't you?

Reba McEntire produced and sang a song called "Pray For Peace" and posted it on her facebook account on July 21, 2014.  I hope it helps drive my point home.  Have a listen:

Musica