Whatever each of our politics may be--It's time to pray

[DonKeesee]

As believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above any political party. We have God's Spirit within us. We are one in the love of Christ. As Paul told Timothy one of our important tasks per governmental things and all things is to pray:

1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

I believe that if Holy Spirit led prayer will be our first priority in relation to the government of whatever country we may live in, we will see a better result than if we let ourselves become embroiled in political bitterness. This does not mean we will not be discerning but rather that our hearts will be pure with a listening ear to the Spirit.

If we study what was happening among praying believers in the days of the old Soviet Union and the Iron Curtain, believers inside and outside that caldron of atheism, we will find this among many other things: The Berlin wall was not really torn down by the hands and machines of men and women. It was torn down by prayer in the authority of the Name of Jesus.

All of this is not to say that we should no have political opinions and so forth. It is to say that as we are citizens of heaven first and citizens of earthly kingdoms second, our calling is to bring changes in the earth through prayer and action as led by the Holy Spirit.

Whatever we may think of the new administration in the U.S. our duty as believers is to pray for it and for this nation and all nations as led by the Holy Spirit.

 

[MrJim]

There was never a time to stop

 

[DonKeesee]

true . . . wonder why we do sometimes . . .

 

[CADude12]

I'm not sure what the point of this is other than to challenge conservatives that they should pray for Obama because it is their duty to do so... Well, as a boy I remember praying for President Clinton in our church, and I expect to hear the same about President Obama.

As for political bitterness, that is another matter. I will continue to emphasize that my fiancee, my family, my faith, y mis amigos (and my friends), are of far greater importance than any of the political nonsense that's being over hyped these days.

 

[DonKeesee]

The point is that the Scripture tells us to pray for leaders, but over the years we sometimes tend to spend more time being critical of this or that than praying. Our prayers can help this nation and other nations have atmopheres that make it easier for the Good News to spread. That's basically it.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

What about the concept of loving our enemies?

From Matthew 5, KJV, emphasis is mine:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

So it would seem that this text asks even the most staunch Republican to pray for Obama.

 

[WannaWitness]

Good posts, DonKeesee and LovebirdsFlying. The way I see it, Democrats and Republicans both support questionable agendas, making them run neck-and-neck when it comes to morals, only in different ways. So yes, they ALL deserve our prayers.

 

[sealacamp]

As believers, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, far above any political party. We have God's Spirit within us. We are one in the love of Christ. As Paul told Timothy one of our important tasks per governmental things and all things is to pray:

1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

I believe that if Holy Spirit led prayer will be our first priority in relation to the government of whatever country we may live in, we will see a better result than if we let ourselves become embroiled in political bitterness. This does not mean we will not be discerning but rather that our hearts will be pure with a listening ear to the Spirit.

If we study what was happening among praying believers in the days of the old Soviet Union and the Iron Curtain, believers inside and outside that caldron of atheism, we will find this among many other things: The Berlin wall was not really torn down by the hands and machines of men and women. It was torn down by prayer in the authority of the Name of Jesus.

All of this is not to say that we should no have political opinions and so forth. It is to say that as we are citizens of heaven first and citizens of earthly kingdoms second, our calling is to bring changes in the earth through prayer and action as led by the Holy Spirit.

Whatever we may think of the new administration in the U.S. our duty as believers is to pray for it and for this nation and all nations as led by the Holy Spirit.

Not necessarily for it but about it definitely. In fact we should "pray without ceasing" just as the scriptures say about everything.

Sealacamp

 

[DonKeesee]

'For it' in the sense of letting the Holy Spirit lead our prayers in relation to the new administration. I think "about it" is ok too, but those words perhaps sort of imply that we already know how God would lead us to pray, which we may not. But the important thing is to let God lead us in prayer rather than praying our preconceived notions about things. I hope that explains what I meant by "for it."

 

[sealacamp]

'For it' in the sense of letting the Holy Spirit lead our prayers in relation to the new administration. I think "about it" is ok too, but those words perhaps sort of imply that we already know how God would lead us to pray, which we may not. But the important thing is to let God lead us in prayer rather than praying our preconceived notions about things. I hope that explains what I meant by "for it."

I can't pray that someone be blessed when what they need is to be broken. Anyone that says they are a Christian and then proceeds to undermine what Christ said and stands for as the Son of God is not a Christian in the first place. My prayer is that this person become broken and surrender his life to Christ. What ever it takes to do that is what is needed.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

This is clearly spelled out in the scriptures and this "leader" only leads people away from Christ at this time. Therefore he can't lead me or many others for that matter since he is anti-Christian at this point in time. Also as the scriptures state when the blind lead the blind they will both fall into a ditch. No he leads the masses of the uninformed, ignorant, and pro secular nation that is headed for disaster. Perhaps in that disaster they will find the God who breaks us so that we can be remade according to His plan, not our plan.

Sealacamp

 

[JustAsIam77]

I can't pray that someone be blessed when what they need is to be broken. Anyone that says they are a Christian and then proceeds to undermine what Christ said and stands for as the Son of God is not a Christian in the first place. My prayer is that this person become broken and surrender his life to Christ. What ever it takes to do that is what is needed.

This is clearly spelled out in the scriptures and this "leader" only leads people away from Christ at this time. Therefore he can't lead me or many others for that matter since he is anti-Christian at this point in time. Also as the scriptures state when the blind lead the blind they will both fall into a ditch. No he leads the masses of the uninformed, ignorant, and pro secular nation that is headed for disaster. Perhaps in that disaster they will find the God who breaks us so that we can be remade according to His plan, not our plan.

Sealacamp

Amen

 

[MrJim]

I can't pray that someone be blessed when what they need is to be broken. Anyone that says they are a Christian and then proceeds to undermine what Christ said and stands for as the Son of God is not a Christian in the first place. My prayer is that this person become broken and surrender his life to Christ. What ever it takes to do that is what is needed.

This is clearly spelled out in the scriptures and this "leader" only leads people away from Christ at this time. Therefore he can't lead me or many others for that matter since he is anti-Christian at this point in time. Also as the scriptures state when the blind lead the blind they will both fall into a ditch. No he leads the masses of the uninformed, ignorant, and pro secular nation that is headed for disaster. Perhaps in that disaster they will find the God who breaks us so that we can be remade according to His plan, not our plan.

Sealacamp

Then did God fail?

Rom 13:1 –Rom 13:2 NKJV
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Just because BO isn't "the" guy we think should be the ruling, nonetheless he is there by God's appointment, not ours...may well be for some kind of judgment, who knows?

 

[DonKeesee]

No one is saying just how we should pray (blessing, whatever). What we should do is pray as led by the Holy Spirit. That way we get get beyond our own parties, our own thinking, and move into God's thinking. All born-again believers can do this, for we are new creations with the ability to hear and follow God. "My sheep hear My voice."

 

[Secundulus]

Then did God fail?

No, he gave the USA exactly what it deserves.

 

[MrJim]

No, he gave the USA exactly what it deserves.

Those poor americans...

 

[AnneSally]

Those poor americans...

Are you American?

 

[MrJim]

Are you American?

I live here as an ambassador of the Kingdom but my citizenship is elsewhere...

Phil 3:18 –Phil 3:21 NKJV
For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

 

[AnneSally]

I live here as an ambassador of the Kingdom but my citizenship is elsewhere...

Phil 3:18 –Phil 3:21 NKJV
For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Touche!

 

[sealacamp]

Then did God fail?

Did He, does He, can He?

Sealacamp

 

[AnneSally]

Then did God fail?

Rom 13:1 –Rom 13:2 NKJV
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

Just because BO isn't "the" guy we think should be the ruling, nonetheless he is there by God's appointment, not ours...may well be for some kind of judgment, who knows?

Yes, maybe, or maybe it's to show people that they can't put their faith in politicians because that's what many have done with Obama, but he's not their Messiah, he's not a saviour of any kind, he's just a politician.....