I admit to cheating for this first post. The following was first posted in January to my status on Facebook. However, my initial goal is to simply get started. Over the next several months I plan to begin using this forum for everything from my required journaling for classes to sermon ideas, to random thoughts, with the ultimate goal being to remind me to keep my focus on Christ.

I have a challenge for the Church, and all those who profess the name of Christ. My challenge is this… Instead of focusing our blame for sin and our nation’s decline on the sins of others, spreading emails and FB posts that blame our government leaders, or other religions, or people who do not accept the truth of God’s Word; How about instead focusing our attention and energy on something radically different… PRAYER. Yes, many of our leaders are screwing things up, and there are groups who have come out strong against Christ and His Word. But I do not believe that focusing our attention on them and arguing with or against them is doing much good. Because I believe that we have forgotten about prayer, and repenting of our own sins.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 God clearly commands us to pray: At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. (2 Chronicles 7:13-14 (NLT)) And Paul’s first letter to Timothy tells us to pray for all, including those in authority: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. (1 Timothy 2:1-6a (NLT))

While I admit I have not gone through line by line of the Bible, I have done a thorough enough search that I believe that I can honestly say that nowhere are we commanded to complain about other people to God. Nor are we told to complain about our government. Complaining will not change things. But prayer… prayer is the most powerful weapon we have in our arsenal against the Satan. Our war is not with men and women, but it is a spiritual war. We cannot win this war by complaining, and finger pointing, or judging. We who proclaim the name of Christ know that the victory has already been won through Christ’s death and resurrection. So let’s re-learn to fight this war like men and women of God, on our knees with holy hands lifted to God.