We don’t need to know who won the election to start praying for them.
“Do, Lord, direct their counsel according to that which is good and well pleasing in Your sight, that administering in peace and gentleness, with godliness, the power which You have given them, they may obtain Your favor.”
Clement of Rome (died in 99)
Clement, along with Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch, is one of the early fathers of the Church. It is said that he was consecrated by Peter.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NET)
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people, even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
A simple request: that we may lead quiet, peaceful lives. Seems timely.
Tuesday is election day in the US.
Let us pray:
I’m not asking for my candidate to win. I’m not asking for the other candidate to lose. I’m not praying destruction on those who’ve already cast their vote for the candidate I’m not voting for. I’m not asking that folks cast their votes for the candidate I’m voting for.
Let us pray,
Matthew 6:10
Your will be done.
And let us be content with God’s answer.
Friday brought good news: 27 missing children have been rescued in Virginia.
Per the Department of Justice, U.S. Marshalls take the lead, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, to rescue exploited children and prevent human trafficking. Thus far this year, 440 missing children have been found.
Nick E. Proffitt, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia declared:
“We want the missing children across this great nation to know the U.S. Marshals Service will never stop looking for you, we will find you.”
This brings to mind the parable of the Lost Sheep:
Luke 15:4 (NLV)
What if one of you had one hundred sheep and you lost one of them? Would you not leave the ninety-nine in the country and go back and look for the one which was lost until you find it?
More children are missing. And these 440 children, now out of harm’s way, need the safe shelter of our prayers. Their minds have been scarred, their hearts have been wounded.
Restore their souls, O God, in Jesus’ name.
Which do you worry more about:
your body or your soul?
Matthew 10:28 (VOICE)
Don’t fear those who aim to kill just the body but are unable to touch the soul. The One to fear is He who can destroy you, soul and body, in the fires of hell.
Do you fear the power of a virus more than the power of God?
Proverbs 1:7 (CEB)
Wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord.
Should the kids isolate and thus protect their elders?
Should the elders suck it up and let the kids get back to their normal lives?
Whose risk matters most?
Ephesians 6:2-4 (VOICE)
This is the first commandment onto which He added a promise: “Honor your father and your mother, and if you do, you will live long and well in this land.”
Do not drive your children mad, but nurture them in the discipline and teaching that come from the Lord.
Philippians 2:4
Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests.
What are you willing to risk for others?
John 10:10 (ESV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
US COVID deaths this year:
almost 230,000
US abortions in a year:
more than 600,000
Looks to be a good year for the thief.
Lord Jesus, have mercy on us!
James 3:10 (ESV)
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Look carefully at the words you speak, post and text. Do you see more blessings, or more curses?
Ten months in, where’s your focus?
Are you counting your losses or counting your gains?
Psalm 103:2 (VOICE)
O my soul, come, praise the Eternal;
sing a song from a grateful heart;
sing and never forget all the good He has done.
On the internet, a troll’s posts are meant to offend. The goal: to spark anger and start arguments.
What’s a Christian to do?
Look to Christianity Today and Crosswalk for wise and memorable advice:
“Thou shalt not feed the trolls . . .
Thou shalt not troll . . .
Love thy trolls.”
It lines up with the Bible–
Proverbs 26:4 (NIV)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
or you yourself will be just like him.
Romans 12:18
As far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
Matthew 5:44
Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you.
Let’s do it God’s way.
Teach us, Lord God, to pray first and watch our words,
in Jesus’ name.
