So much has happened to our country since Sept. 11, 2001. Perhaps, I am more sensitized to any new events that I hear about at this time. Nevertheless, we have had corporate accounting fraud(ie ENRON, Arthur Andersen, Worldcom). I am afraid to ask who else is cheating in the corporate world. We have had a circuit court of appeals in California declare the "Pledge of Allegiance" unconstitutional because of the reference to " One nation under God". We have had another terrorist attack by a Muslim in an LA airport against Jewish ticket agents at the El Al ticket desk just because they were Jewish. In Richmond, we had an adolescent student choke her teacher and the teacher bit the student to save her own life. The teacher was subsequently dismissed without pay.

I estimate that about one third of the U.S. population is christian. I feel totally helpless in light of all these events but I am so glad that I can pray to God and things will happen. Does anyone know if the major denominations of the christian church have any plans for a national day, week, month, or year of prayer? I know that christians pray on a regular basis but I believe that if some large organization like the World Council of Churches or somebody asked congregations to have special prayers that God would do something. Will all the ministers of God who read this post please call for a special prayer during the worship service on Sunday? Will all you servants of the most High please ask your people to pray for this country?

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2002

Answers

For information on the National Day of Prayer that is already established, Click Here.

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2002

Thank you Jerryl for this information.

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2002

Hello Jazzman. 1/3 Christian??? I think that's being generous. This type thing is best guaged by being among regular folks, not the church. The work environment is a good place. I've lived in California, Texas, Mississippi, Washington state, and Florida, and at no time was I ever in a secular environment where anything close to 1/3 of the people were Christian. In the Bible belt areas there may have been around 1/3 who claimed to be Christian, but I'd never want to be the type of Christian they were. Foul language was part of their normal speech. And outside the Bible belt? They didn't even make the claim.

If 1/3 of our nation were truly born-again we'd look a lot different. My church's magazine reports that the population of South Korea is about 1/3 evangelical, and is moving toward 1/2. From the year I was stationed there in the Air Force I learned that pornography is illegal. When a certain pornographic magazine tried to get rights to sell there they were refused. The only places it's sold is on American bases. Things like that occur when the truly saved exist in large numbers in a country. We don't have that much influence here.

But you do raise an interesting question. Is God trying to tell us something? We're truly in the Last Days, and the things are happening. There are some major shifts on the way, though I'll not try to predict anything. But just look at what's going on. The war on terror has unleashed our tremendous power against Israel's enemies, and it is bound to change things somehow. Between the Israelis, Americans, and other cooperative governments some key leaders in the anti-Israel movement are being killed or captured. That alone will lead to change.

Also the axis of evil, and the statement that it's not whether we'll move against them, but when? Saddam's days are numbered one way or the other, and in Iran a revolt is brewing against the mullahs. Then there's Israel's building a wall around parts of the West Bank. It shows many are giving up on ever making peace with the Palestinians. The Palestinians also, with their homocide bombing tactics have demonstrated that they've lost hope that the armies of Arab nations will defeat Israel.

Conditions are ripe for major change somehow. People are demonstrating that their way of thinking has changed.

What it does in me, is cause me to determine that I'll chase after God. In the final times there is to be a great falling away, so that even the elect might be deceived. Motivation enough? I want the Mind of God so that I won't be deceived.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2002

In the 24th chapter of Matthew is reads And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

What am I going to do. I'm going to make sure my calling is an election sure. We are called to pray for the peace of Israel; and while I am praying my faith looks up to Jesus. Because when he comes that's what he'll be looking for "faith".

The Parable in Luke 18 is good. God will avenge his elect who cry day and night to him.

In Christ, Carmen Rose

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2002