Thursday, May 05, 2011

May 5th, 2011

In a little more than an hour, I'll be in front of a Federal Building on Garrisonville RD, leading my second National Day of Prayer observance. I hope that this is the beginning of a long-standing tradition. To be truthful, it was hoping against hope that we'd be able to have this observation today, given the lower court's decision last year on the constitutionality of the proclamation to national prayer and this administration's seeming animus towards the Judeo-Christian expression of faith. But by God's grace, the lower court's decision was struck and today, faithful will be out in force to intercede for their country.

Perhaps (in my lifetime), I've seen no more darker time in our Republic's history where we are in severe need for Divine intervention (the merciful type), yet I fear that without a course correction, there will be intervention and its not going to be nice. Why? Por que? the President pretty well summed it up when he confidently declared in Cairo that "We're not a Christian Nation." When a nation forgets God, its a horrible thing. Yet I believe that there are faithful citizens of this republic, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican, and Orthodox Jew who like the men of Issachar, are watchers of the times and are in intercession for this great Divine Experiment.

Find time to lift up this Republic today.

Almighty and ever-living God, we thank you for the privilege to gather before you to intercede on behalf of our nation. We thank you too, for the burden you’ve placed in our hearts for this land, and for our fellow citizens.

As we gather, we stand in the shadow of those who’ve come before us. We gaze through history’s rearview mirror and see how our fathers sought you at the birth of our nation. We see too Lord, your providential hands that nourished and protected the young nation. In times of both plenty and peril, our predecessors knew you to be their source of provision, protection and guidance.

Today, as in other times, we find ourselves Lord, in a moment of peril and trial. Our nation is at war with an enemy who would see our way of life destroyed. We’re faced with seeming insurmountable economic woes, and a legislature at loggerheads. Surely Lord, we need your hand in such a time as today.

We ask that you might first move within our lives, that we would be used as change agents for good. We pray that we might become channels of your peace and mercy to those you’ve placed in our lives and paths. Our prayer too, as public servants, is that through your help, we will be faithful and diligent stewards of the nation and its collective trust.

This morning, we remember or friend and co-workers who have been afflicted in body, especially Wendy. Reach them in your compassionate hands, embrace them and minister comfort and healing to them and their loved ones.

We lift up those who govern and lead this nation. We ask that those elected would always place stewardship and statesmanship ahead of ambition and strife; in so that they might be sensitive to your leading. In this, that our nation might be that shining city on the hill; a beacon of hope for all nations.

Finally Lord, we seek your protection against our enemies. Not because we are deserving, but because you are one whose first principles include mercy and lovingkindness. Protect us not only from our enemies, but from ourselves that we might not only be recipients stewards of your blessings in this day, but be able to bequeath your bounty to those who will follow after us.

All of this, we ask, seek and hope for in your name.

Amen

Monday, May 02, 2011

On a Monday in May

Usama Bin Laden

Its very early on a Monday morning, and I've just learned via text that Usama Bin Laden has met his end. This is a moment that is "Sweet-bitter". This man has a sea of blood on his hands, a fact that can't be denied. Clearly, he was guilty of crimes against humanity and warranted the ultimate penalty for his crimes. Yet, he is a lost soul that has slipped into hell and a soul that is eternally lost.
We who hold the truth of the Gospel, and the Great Commission need to work harder than ever to proclaim the message that leads to eternal life. We must shout the counterpoint to radical Islam from the housetops and offer the message of eternal life.