Neighbor Prayer Update

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority,
that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

And 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 saints. Pray also for me,
that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me
so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…
(I Timothy 2:1-8; Ephesians 6:18-19)

These words of the Apostle Paul are appropriate reminders / challenges for a New Year. If there’s anything we (I) need to resolve to do more of, it is prayer. As Oswald Chambers wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.” When we look at the news headlines regarding unrest and violence in places like Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, etc or hear about political corruption and injustice….we may be tempted to either give up hope and do nothing, or rise up in social / political activism. But the most powerful form of activism is prayer, which brings us in touch with the heart and mind of God. Only when we know God’s heart for any given situation in our world can we effectively act.

If we want to live in a more gracious, less greedy world, then we need to LIVE with a constant attitude of “thanksgiving”.

If we want PEACE in our world, then we need to pray for peace and then LIVE “peaceful and quiet lives.”

If we want justice and righteousness in our world, then we need to pray for justice and then LIVE “in all godliness and holiness.”

If we want good governance, then we need to pray for “ALL those in authority” (whether we like them or not) and then LIVE according to the values of a “higher KINGDOM.”

If we want reconciliation in our world, we need to pray that “all men be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth…that there is ONE mediator between God and men…the man Christ Jesus.”

And then LIVE in such as way that our words and our actions will “fearlessly make known the GOOD NEWS.”

May each of us know and experience the abundant blessings of God in our lives, families, communities and nations this year……and let it start with me (and you) today in prayer.