With election season in full swing, you are more than likely to come across people you know, let me be more specific because I am an evangelical Christian, a Christian that takes things too far. This is a copy of a message I received from another Christian. I won't identify this person because I am quite frankly embarrassed for them. Here's the message.
“Who/what does Kamala Harris believe in???
If you, or I or no one knows... That's the reason I personally can't vote for her... She's the ungodly... But very well disguised.
You know the Bible talks about "strong delusion" she looks so innocent but she's a Marxist/Communist with tan skin... Google it please. Her father was a Marxist college professor. I'm not deceived our Black voters are, because of Kamala's skin color. The Democratic party has become unrecognizable... Now they've fallen off the left side. And, they're taking so many with them. It's really sad. This is why so many Christians are fasting half-day on Wednesdays until the election. Let us both fast and pray for clarity.”
I did not respond to the message because I disagree with its content and its conclusions. I'm not sure if the assertions in the message are true but the way they were presented is very odious and nasty. I will, however, fast and pray for clarity as the message urges. I will fast and pray for clarity regarding the Presidential candidates’ policies as they reflect the love for the people in this nation regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or country of origin.
We are Blessed in this Nation
We are blessed to live in a country where we can choose our leaders by vote, but sometimes people can take it too far. I suspect that the person that sent the message merely copied something they had received or read. The originator of the message, and their views foster division rather than unity to prove a point. However, we can pray for them by using wisdom and prayer.
We often take for granted the incredible gift of living in the United States. Our country was founded based on freedom and the ability to worship freely. This is rare, even today. We often ignorantly assume it is the same everywhere. Thousands have fought for us to retain this freedom, and we should not take it lightly. As Ronald Reagan, who I was not a fan of, said,
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free."
Praying for our country is not a Republican, Democrat, or Independent issue; it is a heart issue.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV [1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— [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 people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
In Jesus’ prayer, which encompasses the entire 17th chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus prayed that all believers love one another. In other words, He prayed that all believers be unified by their love for each other. To be unified in love doesn't mean that He prayed that believers agree on everything. He prayed for unity not uniformity. Unity is about being united in spirit or purpose, even if you are different. Uniformity is about being the same in appearance or behavior, even if you have different thoughts or feelings.
John 17:20-23 NIV [20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— [23] I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
When we consider how to pray for acquaintances, friends and family members who are politically divisive, let us pray for unity. We cannot change them, but we can pray for God to move their hearts toward unity.
Stay Rooted in God's Word
We will always find reasons to disagree with someone, but we must guard ourselves against falling into the temptation of the enemy to view anyone that disagrees with us as our enemy. That is why we must rely on what God says is truth in His Word when it comes to all issues, big issues or small issues. His Word endures forever, and it is not something that needs to change with the times. However, if we allow it His Word can change us. If we disagree with Scripture, we are the ones in the wrong no matter your position or argument. Remember when you are praying for someone that God may just a work in you too. More than anything else, ask God to reveal to you what His Will is in every situation and topic.
Many times, the things we accuse others of are the exact same things we do and say.
Matthew 7:3-5 NIV [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
We may need to check the planks in our own eyes before pointing out the splinters in others, so it is important to check your heart with God. Remembering that we want to preserve and encourage relationships within our communities is vital. Praying for or with others does not mean you admit defeat or that you are wrong, but it may mean putting aside an issue to allow a relationship to be preserved.
Seek the Lord in prayer for your Christian brother or sister that is stirring up division and remember they may not even be aware that they are doing so. Ask God to bring about conviction and revelations so that we all may live the way that Jesus prayed in John 17 for unity.
My Prayer
Thank You for our incredible country and for the opportunity to pray freely for my brothers and sisters. First, I want to thank You for this privilege. It is not given to everyone and has been fought for by our brave servicemen and women, and thousands of our countrymen and women who were and still are denied through various means the right to vote. I also want to earnestly pray for our country to turn to You. Your Word says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalms 33:12 NIV)
Lord, I pray that the hearts, minds, and spirits of those living in this country will turn back to You and choose You as their Savior.
Lord, I pray for those who stir up division. I pray that they are convinced that they are causing chaos more than they are proving a point, and I pray that this would be something they realize and want to change.
Lord, I pray that You will work in all our hearts and give us ones who are led by Your Spirit and that we will be led to stand for truth more than anything else. Lord, please refine us, reveal Your heart, and desire for this great land, and bring us into unity. I pray that we will be used as Your vessels to encourage others to walk in accordance with Your Word and Your will rather than the shifting opinions of what they see and hear on the news or social media. I pray that if we need to change, You will make it clear to us. Thank You for everything, Lord. In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen
“Who/what does Kamala Harris believe in???
If you, or I or no one knows... That's the reason I personally can't vote for her... She's the ungodly... But very well disguised.
You know the Bible talks about "strong delusion" she looks so innocent but she's a Marxist/Communist with tan skin... Google it please. Her father was a Marxist college professor. I'm not deceived our Black voters are, because of Kamala's skin color. The Democratic party has become unrecognizable... Now they've fallen off the left side. And, they're taking so many with them. It's really sad. This is why so many Christians are fasting half-day on Wednesdays until the election. Let us both fast and pray for clarity.”
I did not respond to the message because I disagree with its content and its conclusions. I'm not sure if the assertions in the message are true but the way they were presented is very odious and nasty. I will, however, fast and pray for clarity as the message urges. I will fast and pray for clarity regarding the Presidential candidates’ policies as they reflect the love for the people in this nation regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or country of origin.
We are Blessed in this Nation
We are blessed to live in a country where we can choose our leaders by vote, but sometimes people can take it too far. I suspect that the person that sent the message merely copied something they had received or read. The originator of the message, and their views foster division rather than unity to prove a point. However, we can pray for them by using wisdom and prayer.
We often take for granted the incredible gift of living in the United States. Our country was founded based on freedom and the ability to worship freely. This is rare, even today. We often ignorantly assume it is the same everywhere. Thousands have fought for us to retain this freedom, and we should not take it lightly. As Ronald Reagan, who I was not a fan of, said,
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day, we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free."
Praying for our country is not a Republican, Democrat, or Independent issue; it is a heart issue.
1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV [1] I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— [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 people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
In Jesus’ prayer, which encompasses the entire 17th chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus prayed that all believers love one another. In other words, He prayed that all believers be unified by their love for each other. To be unified in love doesn't mean that He prayed that believers agree on everything. He prayed for unity not uniformity. Unity is about being united in spirit or purpose, even if you are different. Uniformity is about being the same in appearance or behavior, even if you have different thoughts or feelings.
John 17:20-23 NIV [20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— [23] I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
When we consider how to pray for acquaintances, friends and family members who are politically divisive, let us pray for unity. We cannot change them, but we can pray for God to move their hearts toward unity.
Stay Rooted in God's Word
We will always find reasons to disagree with someone, but we must guard ourselves against falling into the temptation of the enemy to view anyone that disagrees with us as our enemy. That is why we must rely on what God says is truth in His Word when it comes to all issues, big issues or small issues. His Word endures forever, and it is not something that needs to change with the times. However, if we allow it His Word can change us. If we disagree with Scripture, we are the ones in the wrong no matter your position or argument. Remember when you are praying for someone that God may just a work in you too. More than anything else, ask God to reveal to you what His Will is in every situation and topic.
Many times, the things we accuse others of are the exact same things we do and say.
Matthew 7:3-5 NIV [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
We may need to check the planks in our own eyes before pointing out the splinters in others, so it is important to check your heart with God. Remembering that we want to preserve and encourage relationships within our communities is vital. Praying for or with others does not mean you admit defeat or that you are wrong, but it may mean putting aside an issue to allow a relationship to be preserved.
Seek the Lord in prayer for your Christian brother or sister that is stirring up division and remember they may not even be aware that they are doing so. Ask God to bring about conviction and revelations so that we all may live the way that Jesus prayed in John 17 for unity.
My Prayer
Thank You for our incredible country and for the opportunity to pray freely for my brothers and sisters. First, I want to thank You for this privilege. It is not given to everyone and has been fought for by our brave servicemen and women, and thousands of our countrymen and women who were and still are denied through various means the right to vote. I also want to earnestly pray for our country to turn to You. Your Word says “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. (Psalms 33:12 NIV)
Lord, I pray that the hearts, minds, and spirits of those living in this country will turn back to You and choose You as their Savior.
Lord, I pray for those who stir up division. I pray that they are convinced that they are causing chaos more than they are proving a point, and I pray that this would be something they realize and want to change.
Lord, I pray that You will work in all our hearts and give us ones who are led by Your Spirit and that we will be led to stand for truth more than anything else. Lord, please refine us, reveal Your heart, and desire for this great land, and bring us into unity. I pray that we will be used as Your vessels to encourage others to walk in accordance with Your Word and Your will rather than the shifting opinions of what they see and hear on the news or social media. I pray that if we need to change, You will make it clear to us. Thank You for everything, Lord. In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen
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