Today’s news programs were “normal.” From TV reports to Internet sites there wasn’t any “good” news around the world. Interviews involved picking out a few comments to argue about vehemently for a short time.
How do you and I respond?
1. Turn off the news and avoid thinking about it? Emotionally and intellectually deny the powerful, horrible truth of what’s going on?
2. Or, give at least one news report a quick listen so we can act like we’re keeping up with the various situations; we’re not careless or stupid?
3. Or, immerse ourselves in all the details we can find in print and on-line? This way we can show up all the people we might talk with? We know more facts and opinions of famous people?
What’s our motive? Do we have a plan, a goal? Or, is watching the news just a habit that launches the day?
Does it really matter? Does what I choose, what I do make any difference in the “big picture” of life?
As people who care what’s going on many of us miss our “assignment.” We are to pray for the misled people to awaken to the truth of good and evil. Pray for the “bad” people to repent of their sins and to hear the good news of the truth of God’s Word. Judgment from God brings them troubles which are meant to emphasize their need of God: repent before they die and face eternal consequences.
Here’s a few Bible verses to get you started in this calling,
this challenge to pray for others:
this challenge to pray for others:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…” Colossians 1:9.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
“. . . yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.
“But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed.” Romans 2:5.
“...for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
Just going on with whatever suits me, whatever is “normal” for me is not the best way to approach and deal with the troubles of people in my town, my state, our nation, the world.
Today is the time make a new dedication of our own lives to the LORD, and a dedication to a serious calling to pray for the misled, the careless, the bad, the wicked, the evil people. God has a wonderful plan for us now, and for an amazing future. And that’s good news to share!
Today is the time make a new dedication of our own lives to the LORD, and a dedication to a serious calling to pray for the misled, the careless, the bad, the wicked, the evil people. God has a wonderful plan for us now, and for an amazing future. And that’s good news to share!
+ + +
by Elaine Hardt ©2015
