The amusing story is recalled of a ship sinking and a few survivors crowded into the life raft. No food, no water, no land in sight and no way of communication.
Finally, someone said, “It looks hopeless, we better pray.” Another person slapped their forehead and cried, “My soul! Has it already come to that?” Sadly, prayer is often a last resort when it should be our first call.
Looking at a $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 and a national debt that says every man, woman and child owes $50,000 on our deficit, perhaps it is time we pray. Looking at our state budget, which calls for major cuts in every sector of public services from schools to prisons and a prediction of years before we balance out, it maybe that a prayer meeting is called for.
You see, we have come to believe that all our financial, physical and social ills will be solved by our governments. They are at war with one another, leaders are scarce and most can’t be honest enough to tell us that there are no easy answers. We could pray.
Prisons full, Oklahoma having more women incarcerated than any other state, more children in foster care, and drugs have crossed every socio-economic level. We gamble, entertain ourselves, plunging into pleasure, over eat, smoke, won’t buckle up and want someone else to care for our needs. Perhaps it’s not a change in government that is needed, we need to change also. Prayer...not just for things, but for forgiveness and restoration.
Our past leaders from the White House to the city hall unashamedly called out to God in times of distress. That is called prayer. Yes, it is offensive to some and muddled in meaning to others. Yet, it is an honest cry to God for pardon, peace and provisions.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, floods and global warming all at the same time. There was a time we were not walking through the ruins of Port au Prince, Haiti, with a television camera, but now we take these images to bed. But that’s the world we live in today. There is someone bigger who can help...God.
Churches used to have one night a week set aside for prayer...no more. Church attendance is declining nationwide, even with mega-churches.
It is a staple of today to feel good, laugh, grade the music, be a loyal spectator and enjoy the egocentricity of church modernism. In times of trouble God is always clearer, brighter, more earnestly sought. Well, we do have troubles. He left a solution for those who would believe...2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
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The amusing story is recalled of a ship sinking and a few survivors crowded into the life raft. No food, no water, no land in sight and no way of communication.
Finally, someone said, “It looks hopeless, we better pray.” Another person slapped their forehead and cried, “My soul! Has it already come to that?” Sadly, prayer is often a last resort when it should be our first call.
Looking at a $3.8 trillion budget for 2011 and a national debt that says every man, woman and child owes $50,000 on our deficit, perhaps it is time we pray. Looking at our state budget, which calls for major cuts in every sector of public services from schools to prisons and a prediction of years before we balance out, it maybe that a prayer meeting is called for.
You see, we have come to believe that all our financial, physical and social ills will be solved by our governments. They are at war with one another, leaders are scarce and most can’t be honest enough to tell us that there are no easy answers. We could pray.
Prisons full, Oklahoma having more women incarcerated than any other state, more children in foster care, and drugs have crossed every socio-economic level. We gamble, entertain ourselves, plunging into pleasure, over eat, smoke, won’t buckle up and want someone else to care for our needs. Perhaps it’s not a change in government that is needed, we need to change also. Prayer...not just for things, but for forgiveness and restoration.
Our past leaders from the White House to the city hall unashamedly called out to God in times of distress. That is called prayer. Yes, it is offensive to some and muddled in meaning to others. Yet, it is an honest cry to God for pardon, peace and provisions.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, floods and global warming all at the same time. There was a time we were not walking through the ruins of Port au Prince, Haiti, with a television camera, but now we take these images to bed. But that’s the world we live in today. There is someone bigger who can help...God.
Churches used to have one night a week set aside for prayer...no more. Church attendance is declining nationwide, even with mega-churches.
It is a staple of today to feel good, laugh, grade the music, be a loyal spectator and enjoy the egocentricity of church modernism. In times of trouble God is always clearer, brighter, more earnestly sought. Well, we do have troubles. He left a solution for those who would believe...2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”
