Tag: Prayer

A Christian Perspective

A Call to Prayer for the Nation

Loring Schultz

For the Christian “A Call to Prayer” should never need to be called for. The sad fact is for some Christians it needs to be, and also the church. We’ve become all too complacent with our lives. We are either too busy, or think we have got it covered, or God knows all our needs and He will take care of it. Some Christians call on God only when a real disaster strikes them in their family, or when a major crisis occurs in our country or somewhere around the world. We are then ready and feel the need to pray either by ourselves, or with our families, or with the church family.

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Such a need has been felt in the United States since January 6, 2021. The nation’s capital, the beacon of democracy and freedom, had been overrun by insurgents with violence causing destruction, desecration, injuries, and loss of life. The political aftermath the last three years has added more confusion, frustration, and division among the people. We would be wise to remember it is God who has the ultimate authority and who established the rule of law. This same God, the creator of all things, has given this authority to men and women to govern and to rule maintaining law and order where they serve.

The terrorist attack on Israel led by Hamas has also heighten divisions between supporters of the Jews and supporters of the Palestinian people here in the United States. This country has been in deep division since the year 2000 and is growing deeper. Sadly we are at a point where it doesn’t take a major crisis or a war to add fuel to the burning house of division in the nation.  

So, as Christians we are to pray as Paul instructs us in 1 Timothy, “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.” Paul’s concern, as ours should be, is that all would come to know the true God, helping them understand His Word, interceding for them, and thanking God for them. We are to also pray for those who rule over us that they may also come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and as Paul says, “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”

Christians call to prayer is always to be for the Salvation of all people, including those who rule over us whether we agree with them of not. Nero, the ruler in Paul’s day, was a great blasphemer and persecuted the Christians, yet Paul said to pray for him. What will heal the division today in the United States than our leaders leading in a way, “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” Let all Christians heed the call to prayer, individually, in our homes, and in the church.

Bible Studies

“Pray for Everything” Conquering New Territory: The Book of Joshua (….through faith, courage, obedience, and devotion to the Word of God)

Loring Schultz

“So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD.” Joshua 9:14 NLT

            In a fallen world there are many forms of deception. I believe in the 21st century where we are living, we have seen the most ingenious methods to deceive even the most intelligent unsuspecting candidate. Most, if not all, scammers are one step ahead of many of their victims. They have nothing to do all day but to plan their next great deceptive scheme. There have been tragic results over the years of people losing everything they ever own by deception. Some were naïve in trusting what they thought they knew, others were taken in by scams that gave the impression they are from creditable, even official government sources, and then there are those who are taken in by their own greed looking to make that fast buck in a ‘guaranteed’ investment. The greatest tragedy is not having consulted the Lord God in prayer about any decision no matter how small it is, or think you can handle it on your own. The Lord wants you to confide in Him in prayer as He continually directs you in your new territory.

            Joshua and the leaders of Israel failed to consult the Lord on a matter they thought they were able to handle without His guidance. They forgot the Lord God was leading them, and He was the one in charge. Joshua was leading the people, but God was leading Joshua and the nation of Israel as a whole. Perhaps overconfidence played a part due to their recent victory at Ai when they were approached by a delegation from Gibeon six miles down the road presenting themselves as coming from a foreign nation in a far distant land. They had come to seek a peace treaty with Israel after Jericho and Ai were destroyed and figured they were next. Their deception was well thought out. Joshua 9:12-13 describes the great lengths they went to deceiving Israel, “This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.” (NLT) Israel fell to the deception by what they saw. They felt no need to ask God for His guidance after observing their clothing, food rations and speaking with the delegation. However, not everything is as it seems.

            Failure to pray about every situation that comes into our lives will have devastating consequences, especially when we are still adjusting to our new space. Don’t forget, God brought you to your current place and He is not done leading you, nor will He ever be. Israel forgot that and made a treaty with the people of Gibeon who they were to destroy. “Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby!” (Jos. 9:15-16 NLT) Israel was deceived.

            After Joshua found out the truth of who the Gibeonites were and they were neighbors, he made them servants tending to carrying water and woodcutting. Since the treaty was made in the name of Jehovah, it was sacred and could not be broken. Joshua honored the treaty allowing them to live.

            Some Bible passages are hard for us to understand, but if we ask for the Lord’s help as we search the scriptures He will give great insights. We have seen many insights we can apply to our lives from Joshua and Israel conquering their new territory. Today see the importance of praying for everything. There are a lot of matters we handle ourselves without falling into a trap of deception. With that being said, in conclusion I leave you with an excerpt from a yesteryear devotional from the late Dr. Robert A. Cook;

“Pray your way through the day. Pray when you wake up so you won’t greet the family with a snarl. Pray on your way to school or to work. Pray before you tackled the first job of the day, whatever it may be. Pray before you answer the phone…. .Pray before you open a letter…… Pray before you make a decision. Pray before you hire a person and before you fire one, if you have to. Pray before you enter a business deal……Pray your way through the day.” (1)

            Praying our way through the day makes good sense, that way we cover everything both large and small. Remember you haven’t been here before, allow God to make decisions for you. ‘Pray for everything’. He will make it clear what to do and you won’t be deceived.

Read Joshua 9, The Gibeonites Deceive Israel: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%209&version=NLT

  • Cook, Robert. Today With The King, Wheaton, Scripture Press, 1985.
Devotionals

Are you praying for your Pastor?

Loring Schultz

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a NLT

            The start of the 21st century has brought with it scandals of inappropriate behavior and abuse by certain clergy members. What is most disturbing in what is being revealed is the fact that it had been going on for some time in the last century. This is not isolated to one particular church as it crosses denominational lines. The abuse and corruption has done severe damage to the victims and to the Lord’s church. The testimony and the effectiveness of the church has been put in jeopardy by the sinful actions of those who are put in charge to shepherd the people.

            But the fact remains there are many more faithful Pastors than those who misrepresent the Lord’s calling. Their work though has been made more difficult in the light of this evil conduct. Being a Pastor is not an easy job. Sincere Pastors experience more temptations, pressures, and skepticism in their work for the Lord than any other profession. Enemy number one is Satan himself who will do all he can along with his demons to destroy the work of Pastors and eventually destroy them. Of all the successful people in the workplace today, the one with the largest target on his back is the faithful Pastor.

            The apostle Paul urged the church in Thessalonica to respect and love their leaders (Pastors). They feed the flock spiritual food for guidance and to help them grow in Christ. Pastors work hard doing the Lord’s work. Paul also encourages us today to honor our Pastors. They are called by God for His work. Pastors are God’s Anointed.

            May you be encouraged to pray for your Pastor at the church you attend. When Pastors are asked, “What is the one thing that I can do for you?” Most will answer, Pray for your Pastor!  

Devotionals

Who Do You Go To When You Are Distressed?

Loring Schultz

“In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:5 NLT

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            There are not two people living on this earth who are exactly alike. Even identical twins with many similarities have differences between them. There is no one who has your fingerprints, they are yours and yours alone. Your emotions, characteristics, and your stress level are also yours and yours alone. Certain social and economic structures, worldwide events, natural disasters, and environmental issues may cause like symptoms of stress between individuals, but each reacts according to their own specific blueprint. Each one, if need be, seeks out professional help in dealing with the stress in their life as it effects them directly. But there is one professional who is able to meet everyone’s stress level as only He can, the Lord God.

            Please note I am not suggesting professional help is not necessary, I thank the Lord for the professional and medical experts He has blessed us with and they are to be of service to us using the talents and wisdom God has given them. Having said that, just as you would visit a doctor who specializes in treating your specific need, the Lord God knows you intimately and is able to comfort you when feeling distressed. The pressures of the world that come upon us can make us feel like everything is against us. But Psalm 118:6-7 says, “The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.” (NLT)

             The Lord wants us to look to Him in our times of distress in this world. He wants us to trust Him over people giving us advice or governing authorities who do have our best interests at heart. So who do you go to when you are distressed? By all means get the professional help you need, and more importantly go to the Lord in prayer trusting Him to help and guide you in your distress.

Read the text Psalm 118:5-9: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+118%3A5-9&version=NLT