A Prayer Request

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The holiday season has once again swiftly come upon us. By the time you read this post, we will have already observed the traditional Thanksgiving celebration and Christmas is just around the corner.

Last year at this time we vowed we would be better prepared and not let the season sneak up on us as it has so often. But alas, most of us once again find ourselves with more to do than time to do it.

Living in Anxious Times

This leads me to have us consider the scripture that begins by saying, “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6)

We live in “anxious” times! I’m writing this post the day after the 2016 presidential election. Extreme anxiety has been the daily portion for many in the months leading up to the election and it seems as though such anxiousness will continue for many, regardless of the election’s outcome.

But what of the Christians? What about we true believers? Someone said recently, “It’s natural for us to worry about our present circumstances when so much is at stake.” I disagree! Our “natural” response should be unwavering trust in a sovereign God who rules and reigns over every aspect of the universe and the most minute details of our lives.

Ultimately, it comes down, as it always does, to whether or not we believe God’s Word.

Our True Authority

“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (Romans 13:1)

Remember, this was written to Christians who lived under the rule of the Roman Empire; the same Roman Empire which would soon declare “open season” on Christians and eventually remove Paul’s head!

Paul went on to write, “Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” (Romans 13:2)

Any questions? Seems pretty clear and straightforward, doesn’t it?

Do Not Fret Because of Evildoers

Many are worried because of a President elect and leadership that seem to have a resume of unrighteousness.

May I remind all of us, at this point, that we each have a similar resume and apart from the grace of God we would all stand condemned and doomed!

Paul didn’t’ write, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities…” if they’re good, righteous, likeable or any number of other qualifiers. In fact, the same Holy Spirit who inspired the Apostle Paul to write the verses we have just considered, also inspired the Psalmist David to write centuries before, “Do not fret because of evildoers…” (Psalm 37:1)

It’s interesting and noteworthy that only a few verses later he writes, “Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.” (Psalm 37:8)

Think of it! Fretting about evil doers will lead you to become the very thing you were fretting about, “evil doing.”

I don’t know President-elect Trump and I’ll bet you don’t either. I do know God the Father, His Son Jesus and the precious Holy Spirit.

Scripture highlights throughout the centuries how the Triune Godhead can take men or women and save them, redeem them and call them for His purposes.

The Apostle Paul is one of the greatest examples of this. A persecutor of the early church, a killer of Christians and a zealot for the organized religious system of his day becomes a humble servant of the Most High God!

So…here’s a Prayer Request. There are many important and pressing issues facing our new President and administration, but I would like to offer a list of three things to pray for. I believe that if God will move and have His will and way in these three areas, all other concerns will be addressed wisely and properly.

Pray that President elect Trump will be drawn to and humbled before a Holy God now and each day going foreword.“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
Pray that President elect Trump will assemble a wise council of leaders. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14)
Pray that President elect Trump will appoint Supreme Court justices who will properly interpret and uphold the constitution of the United States. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” (Proverbs 29:2)

At the beginning of this post we looked at the first part of a verse in Philippians. Now let’s read the rest.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Remember: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” (Psalm 33:12)

At Praise Ministries we meet every Monday morning at 9:00am to start the week with prayer. We pray for the suffering
church around the world, for missionaries everywhere, for the prayer requests you send in and for our own personal needs.

May I invite you to join us wherever you are at 9:00am CST in prayer for our President, our leaders and our nation?

Let’s focus in and pray especially for the three requests I have listed, and believe God to guide, direct and bless our nation so that we might bless and honor Him.

Only God knows what can be accomplished when in fervor and persistence, His people respond to A Prayer Request.