The Need for Prayer

​These are perilous times that we live in. So many around the world are facing extraordinary trauma along with physical needs. The disciples asked Jesus, "What will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age?" He told them, "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famine and earthquakes in various places. All are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the world as a testimony of all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:3-14)
 
These verses sound like a description of our times; however, much still needs to be accomplished for the end to come. Primarily, there is an ocean of people who need to hear the gospel of Christ. The Lord's desire is that all humankind be saved so that they can live with Him for eternity. We play a part in the accomplishment of the Lord's end game. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." Not only are we to do this, but we are to follow the advice in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings 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 the knowledge of the truth."
 
Paul's advice to the believers at the church in Thessalonica and to Timothy as he ministered to the church in Ephesus is for us. No matter how we feel about the leaders of our country, the mandate remains: Pray for them! Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel, recently sent a message of encouragement to President Trump that bears repeating: "Mr. President, God spared you in Butler, PA, to be the most consequential President in a century—maybe ever. The decisions on your shoulders I would not want to be made by anyone else. You have many voices speaking to you, Sir, but there is only ONE voice that matters. HIS voice. I am your appointed servant in this land and am available for you, but I do not try to get in your presence often because I trust your instincts. No president in my lifetime has been in a position like yours. Not since Truman in 1945. I don't reach out to persuade you. Only to encourage you. I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else's. You sent me to Israel to be your eyes, ears, and voice and to make sure our flag flies above our embassy. My job is to be the last one to leave. I will not abandon this post. Our flag will NOT come down! You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU! It is my honor to serve you!" I am sure that Mike Huckabee realizes the pressure that is on our president and desired to point him in the right direction. The decisions that President Trump must make will not only impact us but the world around us.
 
Praise God that the Holy Spirit is with us to remind us that we are supernaturally empowered to walk in peace. And as it says in James 1:5, we should ask God for wisdom because the "wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17) As we pray, we must remember the innocent people who are caught in the crosshairs of the battle between Israel and Iran. Ask the Lord to have mercy on them. Pray that God will give victory to the righteous and will take down the evil principalities and powers over the Middle East. We must recognize that President Trump has made and continues to make extremely critical decision about how the United States will help Israel. He and his team need the wisdom of God for ongoing plans on how to engage on the world stage. We want God's will to be done and His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. When this is done, the door for revival will be opened in the Middle East and around the world.