Good Morning All,
1 Timothy 2: 1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead
a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”
Considering the events of yesterday and
this past summer where evil seems to be winning. It seems that violence is becoming the way to
“solve” any problem. It feels that Satan
is laughing with delight. It might feel
that way, it might appear that way, but it is not that way. The devil has lost,
and the victory belongs to Jesus. Of
this truth, we can have total confidence.
Yet these are trying times, so what do we do?
The Apostle Paul speaks to this in our
verses. What should we do, what can we
do? Most of us are far removed from the
actual sites of violence, but we are still impacted. So, what do we do? First and foremost, we pray. We pray for our leaders and all people. We pray for justice and freedom. We pray for compassion and mercy. We pray for peace and comfort. When everything is shaking, we cling to Jesus
our rock and safe place. Prayer is
always our constant action. Prayer reminds
us that true peace comes from God. True love
comes from God. True wisdom comes from
God. So, we ask God, we plead with God
for our leaders, our country and ourselves that we may walk according to His
will.
So, we pray for Washington, DC and for
Minneapolis. We pray for Portland and Kenosha,
we pray for Louisville and Nashville, we pray for all our communities. We pray for the Sioux Falls and the Aberdeens
of this nation. We pray for the
Northvilles and the Warners and all those who are elected to lead them. We pray for us to be good citizens and that
we all seek to end suffering and pain, injustice, and oppression. We pray that God will continue to have mercy
on this land and give us peace.
Do not be disheartened, God is still in control
and we are still in His hands. God is still
our loving God and Father and our salvation is still secure in Jesus. This does not change. Place your hope in Jesus not in the princes
of the land but pray for those princes so that we may live a peaceful and quiet
life, godly and dignified in every way.
Gracious God and Father,
though Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to bring us Your heavenly peace, violence
and conflict still rage among Your children on earth. We ask that you end the
violence and hatred. Rebuke those who
incite violence and hatred that peace may occur. Bring a restoration of calm and security and
heal the wounds that have been inflicted. Preserve the peace so that what has
been laid waste and made desolate can again be planted and built up. Open Your
fatherly heart and bountiful hand to help all in need. Grant that we all may
live together in unity and peace and let all hatred and ill will be remembered
no more. Give us that peace which the world cannot give, and grant us grace
that, delivered from all conflict and strife, we may live in harmony and
safety, and finally, having gained the eternal rest of the saints in glory, may
praise and bless, worship and glorify You forever; through Jesus Christ, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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