ATTENTION: SCROLL DOWN to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. And PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.) They ALL deserve your intercession.
"Mourning in the Wake of Las Vegas - WEEPING FOR THE SUFFERING, CALLING EVIL BY NAME" - John Stonestreet with David Carlson, Breakpoint.org, Oct. 3, 2017; http://www.breakpoint.org/2017/10/breakpoint-mourning-wake-las-vegas/ [NOTE: Be sure to take a look at the article BELOW by Ed Stetzer on praying in the wake of this great tragedy.]
Our nation is faced with another act of horrific evil. This time, a mass shooting in Las Vegas. What do we say? What do we do?
For the third time—by my count—since Eric and I became the voices of BreakPoint, I find myself using the phrase, “the worst mass shooting in U. S. history,” this time to describe the massacre of—at the time of this recording—58 people, with an additional 500 people wounded, at a country music concert in Las Vegas. It’s horrific. What can even be said?
In today’s politically divided landscape, we’re tempted to simply retreat to a standard list of explanations to try to explain what happened or to assign blame—like on guns or mental illness or “them”—i.e. those that are across the political or religious aisle from us. But this gut level response misses the core issue at hand.
Back in 2007, after 32 innocent people were gunned down at Virginia Tech, Chuck Colson talked about the importance of acknowledging the reality of evil. He started by describing a visit to a prison in Norway:
"I witnessed an extreme example of this therapeutic thinking during a visit to a Norwegian prison years ago. Throughout the tour, officials bragged about employing the most humane and progressive treatment methods anywhere in the world. I met several doctors in white coats.
That prompted me to ask how many of the inmates, who were all there for serious crimes, were mentally ill. The warden replied, “Oh, all of them.” I must have looked surprised, because she said, “Well, of course, anyone who commits a crime this serious is obviously mentally unbalanced.”
Stated differently, there’s no such thing as sin and evil, and the only reason why people might commit serious crimes is that they’re mentally ill. Thus the best—and perhaps, only—response to crime is behavior modification and all those other up-to-date psychological techniques.
While the Norwegian approach would strike most Americans as very naïve, the difference between them and us is one of degree, not kind. We also blame crime on external factors, like mental illness, culture, dysfunctional childhood, and the like.
We’re uncomfortable attributing events like this to human evil, much less to a kind of evil that seeks to undo God’s creation—what Christians call the demonic.
Yet without this idea, events like this massacre can never be understood.
You know, Chuck is right. Evil is real and it resides—not just “out there” in the world, or the culture—but “in here,” in the human heart. Seeing it played out so hideously in Las Vegas leaves us only at the place of saying, with other followers of Christ throughout history, “Kyrie Eleison,” or Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy upon us.
And how might we, as Christians, respond?
First, as Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today, prayer is a powerful response to suffering and evil. So pray for the victims and their families, for civic leaders and first responders. Pray that Christians in Las Vegas will be effective in their ministry and service.
Second, God’s people must remember the exhortation to “mourn with those who mourn.” Facebook and Twitter might tempt us to forget that there are very real people mourning the death of real people, and to offer lines of political agenda or ideological simplicity or even to offer Bible verses wrapped up in a nice little bow. Better than all of that is that we join our tears with those who weep.
Third, we run into, not away, from this brokenness. Whether it’s in giving blood, providing care, or jumping into that conversation with our neighbors that we’d rather not, we emulate Christ by—like Him—joining the suffering of those around us.
And finally, we cry out with the Psalmist, “How long, O Lord?” Groaning together with all of creation for that day when God Himself will “wipe away every tear,” and “death shall be no more.”
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES - As John has urged, please pray for the victims in Las Vegas, the first responders and medical personnel, and especially for the churches there. May God use His Body to bring hope, healing and new life to an area that has experienced such a horrific tragedy.
"3 Ways to Pray for Las Vegas: It’s a Powerful (Not Political) Act for Christians" - Ed Stetzer | Christianity Today | October 2, 2017; http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/september/shooting-in-las-vegas.html
"Something Horribly Wrong: The Reality of Evil" - Chuck Colson | BreakPoint.org | April 19, 2007; http://www.breakpoint.org/2007/04/something-horribly-wrong
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
THANK YOU.
LET'S BE IN CONTINUED PRAYER for the many who were impacted by this horrific tragedy.
Let's CONTINUE PRAYING for the people of Southeast Texas and the entire region suffering from HURICANE HARVEY, IRMA, AND MARIA A esp. those in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean. Many have lost loved ones and suffered great damage to their homes and many millions are still dealing with power outages and clean-ups.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
American Pastor Andrew Brunson PRAY that he can cause the pastor to finally be released./ https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/new-false-charges-levied-at-american-pastor-andrew-brunson-as-unjust-imprisonment-in-turkey-grows-more-dangerous He still languishes in a Turkish prison [since last Oct. 7th]. He’s one of 19 prisoners in a 10-person cell. He is the only Christian. Pastor Andrew has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” He has served and loved the people ofTurkey U.S. Turkey
NORTH KOREAN THREAT: Let's be praying that our leaders will be led by Godly wisdom in responding.
LATEST PERSONAL UPDATE of 9/19: Please check the right side of this blog page for the JOURNAL section, scrolling down for any past entries you might have missed. And THANK YOU for your continued PRAYERS. P.S- 9/16: Florida Gators beat Tennessee, 26-20! - Blessed to have had the day off and got to watch my Gators win one of the most thrilling football games I've ever seen.
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017; http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
Oct. 2nd - U.S. SUPREME COURT: The Court reconvenes today to make decisions on some very crucial issues. As the Lord Leads, please pray:
For leaders in Congress as they weigh the rejuvenated call for gun control.
For the medical staff as hospitals are working overtime in the wake of the shooting
For the investigators as they continue the search for answers.
LATEST UPDATE: "Steve Scalise Makes Triumphant Return to the House: Because of God, I Am a Living Miracle" - Katie Pavlich: Sep 28, 2017 11:30 AM; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2017/09/28/steve-scalise-speech-on-floor-n2387962
*For the Supreme Court as they hear arguments from each side and make judgements that have massive consequences for the future of the nation.
*For each justice as they do their best to interpret the law and use that to rule on the given cases.
*For President Trump as he interacts with the Supreme Court on these monumental issues.
Oct. 4 : Las Vegas: For President Trump as he travels to Las Vegas and meets with local officials that God would reveal the next steps.For leaders in Congress as they weigh the rejuvenated call for gun control.
For the medical staff as hospitals are working overtime in the wake of the shooting
For the investigators as they continue the search for answers.
LATEST UPDATE: "Steve Scalise Makes Triumphant Return to the House: Because of God, I Am a Living Miracle" - Katie Pavlich: Sep 28, 2017 11:30 AM; https://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2017/09/28/steve-scalise-speech-on-floor-n2387962
Let's Continue to pray for Congressman Scalise and his family
American Pastor Andrew Brunson PRAY that he can cause the pastor to finally be released./ https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/new-false-charges-levied-at-american-pastor-andrew-brunson-as-unjust-imprisonment-in-turkey-grows-more-dangerous He still languishes in a Turkish prison [since last Oct. 7th]. He’s one of 19 prisoners in a 10-person cell. He is the only Christian. Pastor Andrew has been falsely charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organization.” He has served and loved the people of
NORTH KOREAN THREAT: Let's be praying that our leaders will be led by Godly wisdom in responding.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the third time—by my count—since Eric and I became the voices of BreakPoint, I find myself using the phrase, “the worst mass shooting in U. S. history,” this time to describe the massacre of—at the time of this recording—58 people, with an additional 500 people wounded, at a country music concert in Las Vegas. It’s horrific. What can even be said?
In today’s politically divided landscape, we’re tempted to simply retreat to a standard list of explanations to try to explain what happened or to assign blame—like on guns or mental illness or “them”—i.e. those that are across the political or religious aisle from us. But this gut level response misses the core issue at hand.
Back in 2007, after 32 innocent people were gunned down at Virginia Tech, Chuck Colson talked about the importance of acknowledging the reality of evil. He started by describing a visit to a prison in Norway:
"I witnessed an extreme example of this therapeutic thinking during a visit to a Norwegian prison years ago. Throughout the tour, officials bragged about employing the most humane and progressive treatment methods anywhere in the world. I met several doctors in white coats.
That prompted me to ask how many of the inmates, who were all there for serious crimes, were mentally ill. The warden replied, “Oh, all of them.” I must have looked surprised, because she said, “Well, of course, anyone who commits a crime this serious is obviously mentally unbalanced.”
Stated differently, there’s no such thing as sin and evil, and the only reason why people might commit serious crimes is that they’re mentally ill. Thus the best—and perhaps, only—response to crime is behavior modification and all those other up-to-date psychological techniques.
While the Norwegian approach would strike most Americans as very naïve, the difference between them and us is one of degree, not kind. We also blame crime on external factors, like mental illness, culture, dysfunctional childhood, and the like.
We’re uncomfortable attributing events like this to human evil, much less to a kind of evil that seeks to undo God’s creation—what Christians call the demonic.
Yet without this idea, events like this massacre can never be understood.
You know, Chuck is right. Evil is real and it resides—not just “out there” in the world, or the culture—but “in here,” in the human heart. Seeing it played out so hideously in Las Vegas leaves us only at the place of saying, with other followers of Christ throughout history, “Kyrie Eleison,” or Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy upon us.
And how might we, as Christians, respond?
First, as Ed Stetzer wrote in Christianity Today, prayer is a powerful response to suffering and evil. So pray for the victims and their families, for civic leaders and first responders. Pray that Christians in Las Vegas will be effective in their ministry and service.
Second, God’s people must remember the exhortation to “mourn with those who mourn.” Facebook and Twitter might tempt us to forget that there are very real people mourning the death of real people, and to offer lines of political agenda or ideological simplicity or even to offer Bible verses wrapped up in a nice little bow. Better than all of that is that we join our tears with those who weep.
Third, we run into, not away, from this brokenness. Whether it’s in giving blood, providing care, or jumping into that conversation with our neighbors that we’d rather not, we emulate Christ by—like Him—joining the suffering of those around us.
And finally, we cry out with the Psalmist, “How long, O Lord?” Groaning together with all of creation for that day when God Himself will “wipe away every tear,” and “death shall be no more.”
[bold, italics, and colored emphasis mine]
RESOURCES - As John has urged, please pray for the victims in Las Vegas, the first responders and medical personnel, and especially for the churches there. May God use His Body to bring hope, healing and new life to an area that has experienced such a horrific tragedy.
"3 Ways to Pray for Las Vegas: It’s a Powerful (Not Political) Act for Christians" - Ed Stetzer | Christianity Today | October 2, 2017; http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/september/shooting-in-las-vegas.html
"Something Horribly Wrong: The Reality of Evil" - Chuck Colson | BreakPoint.org | April 19, 2007; http://www.breakpoint.org/2007/04/something-horribly-wrong
----------------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." - Karl Barth; "Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory." - Stan
“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/
I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America, I soon realized it was not just a word for me, but for all who have been praying for our nation, wondering if their prayers are truly making any difference. Bill told me, “I kept seeing you as a small rudder on a huge ship. Hidden, but giving guidance. Although it seemed slow it was turning the whole ship. Patience was needed to see the impact of your…ministry. I sense the Lord saying, ‘Don’t jump ship! I’ve made you the rudder!’ ” I was immediately touched in my spirit by this encouragement, knowing that our seemingly small place in prayer was having a great impact.
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV).
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14) Short of that, we should not be saying "God Bless America"but instead "God be merciful towards America!"
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
[from OpenDoorsUSA - https://www.opendoorsusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/28382-PFA.pdf
Praying Through the World Watch List:
September 22 - 30: Kuwait #38 - Pray for the expatriate/migrant Christian communities
who continue to struggle to obtain registration permits.
October 4 | SRI LANKA - Pray for Pastor Sampath. He stood up to a mob outside
his home and was injured.
who continue to struggle to obtain registration permits.
October 4 | SRI LANKA - Pray for Pastor Sampath. He stood up to a mob outside
his home and was injured.
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 2 Tim.y 4:16
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia shared how Sariman, their co-student, was hacked to death.
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok.
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran as she showed the picture of her father who was stabbed to death for sharing the gospel.
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam as he shared how he was chained to the ground for six months.
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan as she shared how her church was attacked and her friend was shot through the head.
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea as he shared with tears how two dear friends were executed in front of him because of their faith.
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao.
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention on their behalf?
PRAYER
Lord, broaden my awareness of the needs of my suffering brothers and sisters. May I not be known for my silence.
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and endurance.
PRAY for the ON-GOING crisis now happening in IRAQ/SYRIA. Pray that coalition forces will be able to destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS.*For believers in Syria and in this region as they navigate so much uncertainty. May they remain faithful to God through these most difficult times as He sustains them with peace and endurance.
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