The elders wish to thank Mike for a thoughtful, powerful and timely message Sunday morning on what we can do for our country. We 100% support the message for it was directly from God’s word, I Timothy 2:1-4. We also appreciate the spirit in which it was given.
We challenge the congregation for the next four weeks leading up to the election, to be on our knees daily, praying specifically for our country and its leaders. And after the election for that matter. To pray specifically, we must pray informed. Let’s be informed, but spend more time on our knees and less time saturating our minds with the endless news, polls and opinions of the media. Let us be careful concerning the purpose of our praying. The text says “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Let us heed the warning from James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Let’s consider four points on prayer:
Our preparation:
Matthew 6:6
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”
Ask yourself daily “how have I prepared myself to pray today?”
Our place:
2 Chronicles 14:11
“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!””
Our place then is to realize that we have no power, but must simply rest on Him.
Our purpose:
2 Chronicles 6:33
“that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this temple which I have built is called by Your name.”
This compliments well the purpose in I Timothy 2:4 for “all men to be saved”.
Our peace:
2 Kings 19:20 Isaiah speaking to Hezekiah: “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: Because you have prayed to Me, …… I have heard.”
Our peace in prayer comes not from our own words or efforts, but in simply knowing that He hears when we pray. Our peace is also in knowing that it is not “because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies,” Daniel 9:18.
1 Thessalonians 5 :16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
-Terry Pafford
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