Julia Melatis – Author

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. 8Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing (1 Timothy 2:1-8 NIV).

 

These are troubling times. Our country as a whole no longer clings to the faith of our fathers, to the Word of the Lord. Instead, our values are being corrupted. Many people are working through the courts and legislatures to make what is sin, acceptable in the eyes of man. When Christians point out the sin as being wrong we are called intolerant, bigots, etc. It does not help that some Christians are going about trying to reform the “sinner” in a very combative manner. This gives all Christians and especially God a bad name. It also puts the “sinner” on the defensive. 

The Holy Spirit may very well already be at work convicting a person of their sin, which is why I feel they are so determined to put laws into place to validate their behavior as good and normal. We must work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit in God’s timing and direction to make changes in our country, see souls save, and lives changed. We will not win the battle of right and wrong with arguments and criticism. It will only bring about fear and lashing out from the “sinner”. 

Christians are being too confrontational instead of loving toward those who are openly sinful in their lifestyles. We cannot back down from the Word of God and make allowances or accept sinful lifestyles as right and normal, BUT if we use the Word to bash people over the head it only serves to drive them farther away from God. We are supposed to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Even if you consider someone an enemy, we are commanded by Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-36). “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare” (Proverbs 15:1 NLT, see also 15:18 & 25:15).

So, what should we be doing in the face of the decline of our country’s moral fiber? Our response should be:

Keep praying for America and confessing our country’s sins before the throne of God.

Pray also for the Holy Spirit to touch hearts, preparing the ground for the seed of the Word to bring souls to a harvest of repentance and new life in Christ. 

Live our lives every day in love with grace and mercy. Do not persecute the “sinner”, but proclaim the love of Jesus to a lost and hurting world (love the sinner hate the sin). Reach out in love to lead others to the cross. The Holy Spirit is the one that will convict their hearts to bring repentance.

Pray generally for our country, but also specifically for our leaders from President Obama on down, to the local mayor and town council, that they would give their lives to Jesus and live to honor Him and bring glory to His name.

Pray for and talk to your neighbors, co-workers, unsaved friends and family. Share with them the testimony of how you were saved and how you have seen God work in your own life.

When it comes time to vote, pray over the ballot and vote according to the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If we want to see revival and true repentance as a nation, we need to spend more time on our knees “standing” in the gap for those who are lost. It is the only way. Prayer is our offensive weapon in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:18).a

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV, 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually

We are at war, but not with the sinner, for we are all sinners made righteous only through the grace of God and faith in what Jesus did to redeem us at the cross. We are waging spiritual warfare:

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:10-18NIV).

Notice that all the armor is on the front of the body. We are meant to face the battle and never turn our back to the enemy. We need to equip ourselves for these battles by: 

Being sure of our salvation (Romans 5:3-5; Philippians 1:6, 2:12; Hebrews 5:9; 1 John 1:9)

Speaking and believing the truth. The Word of God is trustworthy and true (Psalm 33:4, 40:10; Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). 

Living in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and doing everything in His name (Romans 1:17, 3:21-26; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 3:17). 

Keeping the faith and never losing hope. God always keeps His promises (Psalm 145:13, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Knowing and memorizing the Word, so we can wield it as a weapon against the lies and tricks of the enemy (Psalm 37:31, 40:8, 119:11; Matthew 4:1-11).

Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts to keep us from fear and doubt (John 14:27, Colossians 3:15, James 3:17-18).

Pray continually and in all things seek God’s presence and release His power in our circumstances (1 Chronicles 16:11, Daniel 6:10, Matthew 6:33, Acts 1:8, Romans 15:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). 

Pray for all God’s people to remain firm in their faith (Ephesians 1:15-21, 3:16-19; Colossians 3:3-14).

Stay alert and resist temptations, so we are not deceived by the ways of the world (Ephesians 4:26-32, James 4:7-8, 1 Peter 5:6-11).

Blessings,

Julia