For God and Country
Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 12:00AM “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time." ~1 Timothy 2:1-6
During the Prayers of the People, we regularly pray for those in authority over us, including the President, Vice President and leaders of Congress and the Supreme Court. We do this because we are asking that God be the ultimate guide for our country and that “we, the people” may live in harmony with and obedience to the plans that He desires for our nation. If all nations on earth submitted themselves fully and wholly to God’s plan, then true peace on earth would occur.
We live in the nation that is called the greatest on the earth, and we enjoy spectacular freedoms and opportunities that are undreamed of by most of the earth’s inhabitants. Our freedom is not “free” and thus we pray for those from our midst who serve in the military: Kaelan Clay, Peyton Denton, and Nathan White. These men need our prayers and appreciate our support.
We have also been called the most generous nation in the world because we have freely shared with those in need. Scripture tells us that the “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
On this 236th birthday of our nation, let’s recommit to praying for godly leaders for our country and committing ourselves to pray and care for those less fortunate. One of the ways that Christ the King fulfills this command is through giving away half of every dollar committed to the general fund of the church. Let’s vow together to pray for those who have gone in our place to the far corners of the world to bring the freeing light of the Gospel to those who live in darkness.