None of us could have predicted such a time as what we’re facing, but it’s here. As with any challenge, this season is a reminder of how delicate and fragile life is. Circumstances and situations reveal that we are definitely not in control, and if there’s anyone that thought they could live without God’s grace and mercy, they are experiencing a wake-up call like no other. Through God’s Word, and through His Spirit as well as many truth speakers, God has warned us to get our houses in order. Now is the time to take a good hard look at where we are spiritually, so that we don’t have an existence marked by ungodliness and pandemonium but instead we are clothed in God’s provision and care.
Times are perilous, and they’ve been this way for a long while. Whenever we face a crisis in these perilous times, God tells us how to approach it in Philippians 4:6(NLT). This verse says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” There can be no question that prayer is our first line of defense. Heavenly Father is all-knowing and all-powerful. He knows every detail of anything that has happened throughout the history of our existence, and He knew it well in advance. Regardless of what the situation is or how conditions look, He tells us to pray.
There should be no doubt in any of our minds that prayer from a multitude of believers all over the world will turn things around. Through the Apostle Paul, God tells us in 1Timothy 2:1-2(NLT), “1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” As God’s children, He instructs us to take on His nature. This means that we should practice the example of Jesus Christ daily. When it comes to actively living through God’s love, we should never assume the posture of sitting idly by with our hands tuck beneath our laps. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must get busy doing what the Father has commanded us to do.
2Timothy 1:9(NLT) says, “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” We have received a holy calling from our Dear Heavenly Father, and to walk in this calling is going to require some things of us, and prayer is chief among them. James 5:16 tells us that the prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. This is because of what the obedient believer carries in them. The Holy Spirit lives inside us, and we have been given the authority of Jesus Christ in the earth. With this authority comes the privilege and honor to partner with Heavenly Father by praying for others.
We can look at the current times and see that as Christians we haven’t been as diligent as we should when it comes to praying for our country, its citizens, and its leaders. But Jude 1:17-21(NLT) encourages us to tighten up:
17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ predicted. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
This passage should ignite our renewed commitment and responsibility to live holy and pray often. We don’t know the day nor the hour when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will return, but it’s our duty and call to keep our house in order, to remain alert and on guard, and to pray for all people. Then, we should seal our prayers with the deepest level of gratitude we can muster for how good God has been to each of us. Heavenly Father has brought us a mighty long way, and He will never leave or forsake us when our trust is firmly anchored in Him through Jesus Christ. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Pray for All People” written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2020. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.