Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Pray!!!

Often we feel we can't pray specifics when it comes to our life, our church or our nation.

We say, "well, we can't know God, really." We say, "God is not a Democrat or Republican." We say, "we can't know God's plan."

God is beyond our understand and comprehension, but it's so very clear in His Word, "I have not spoken in secret." Isaiah 45:19.

Just reading His Word enlightens me. I gain His heart and mind by the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead living in me.

We must learn to discern, friends. With our hearts as well as our minds.

In the past, I've prayed for elections without true faith, without conviction. Because I am truly concerned about the direction of our nation, for us, for Israel, I no longer sit on the sidelines.

Take a football game. Who's the better player? The one who sits on the bench, cheering for the team to win or the one who runs out onto the field and makes the plays?

Ball players become skilled by routine training - we've all seen shots of a football practice field. As believers, we must also recognized we've become skilled in the things of the Spirit by routine training - worship, prayer, the Word, fellowship.

Game time, the coach calls in the plays from the sidelines. Yet, once the play goes into action, the men on the field MUST tap into their skill from training and advance the ball - even if the planned play doesn't work.

As a follower of Jesus, I must trust His truth in me. As I pray and fast, looking out of the landscape of our nation, I know I must pray specifics. How can I know the heart of God? By understanding Him through His Word.

God hates these things: haughty eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies, an one who spreads strife among brothers.

I place this over our political system and my heart grows sick, even more so when I place it over our media. The media is worse than our politicians. They call evil good, and good evil.

But as I compare candidates, knowing that BOTH are weak, imperfect men, I must judge Biblically. I've listened, I've read, I've prayed. I've been for both candidates throughout this election, if not for just a moment. ;)

But we have to want to know truth. Not our truth, but God's truth. And it's is possible for us to know who God wants in power for this season of history. That's what I'm praying.

I pray for a specific man to be in office. No secret here, he first has to be pro life. And I go from there.

Pray, beloved, pray. Specifically. We have not because we ask not.

8 comments:

Robin said...

Great post!
My prayer is that God will hear our pleading with Him over this election, and somehow, someway, be glorified by the results.

Georgiana Daniels said...

I'm praying too! Some of the things happening now make me just sick, but I KNOW God answers His people.

Sharon Hayes said...

Thanks again Rachel for a great post - encouraging us to "not grow weary or faint in well doing" and Heb. 11:1-3

Anonymous said...

I've appreciated your political articles. I'm torn as to whether I'll be going to cast a vote this year. I certainly have a preference but I'm wavering on him as well.

Rebekah said...

good post my Sistah. I was just thinking on this subject as I drove to work this morning.

Dawn said...

Excellent post.
If people would only realize that maybe we've aborted the world's most brilliant economist, the scientist that would have cured cancer, the person that would have invented the car that runs from solar energy.

Will H. Donaldson Family said...

Prayer is SO important! As Christians and Americans it's also our responsibility; to pray and to take the time to research the candidates. Then it's our responsibility to vote for the one that best represents Gods word. I'm like you, The one that is ACTIVELY pro life will get my vote.

Peggy Blann Phifer said...

Hi, Rachel, - I am SO with you on this. If ever there was a time for God's people to assault the gates of Heaven it is now. There is so much at stake, and there is only one clear choice.