Pray for Our Nation

“In His name the nations will put their hope.” —Matthew 12:21

How has the latest terrorist attack affected your life? I heard of one person who made a drastic commitment to tell all of their friends about Jesus. This person, a devout Christian, knew the police officer from Boston who was shot and killed. The Christian friend confessed that he had never witnessed to this policeman. Life is fragile, and time may be short for anyone of us. Don’t miss an opportunity to do good deeds or share the good news of Jesus.

Another person vowed to never again ride a plane or use any form of mass transit. Although we cannot live in fear, the Boston bombing has caused all of us to rethink the most ordinary circumstances. I followed a drug sales rep or young doctor down the hall in the hospital, yesterday. It stood out in my mind because he was carrying a large backpack. My mind drifted to some strange fearful thoughts. “Where could I run if there was a pressure cooker bomb in the backpack?” “How far and through how many walls would a bomb of that size go?” I never even looked at the gentleman; all I could see was the backpack.

Many of us feel quite helpless in combating global terrorism. It seems the world is in a downward tailspin. How do we stop it? Jesus once told a parable teaching people that we “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). The parable was a lesson on praying and praying continually until God answers your prayer. Jesus may not have used the acronym but He was encouraging us to P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) We may not be able to stop folks from making bombs or prevent radical ideologies from corrupting young minds, but we can pray and touch the power of God.

On Thursday, May 2, many people all across America have decided not to lose heart or give up on our country. They will gather at churches, public squares, courthouses, and in private homes to pray for our nation. It is called the National Day of Prayer. Here in Johnstown, in addition to prayer services in individual churches, there will be a noon gathering downtown in Central Park at the gazebo. The Celebrate One Unity Service will be held at the Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship at 7:00 PM. Although the Celebrate One event also emphasizes Christians united together to worship Jesus Christ, both events will pray for our nation.

2013 marks the 9^th year for Celebrate One. This year’s theme verse is Matthew 12:21, “In His name the nations will put their hope.” The Name referred to is the name of Jesus. Acts 4:12 tells us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Rather than fear or lose hope, Christians will gather together and declare their faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior and only hope for our world. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Let us pray for the victims of the attack in Boston and for all innocent victims of terrorism around the world, but let us also do something proactive. Let us pray. Let us not lose heart. Let us not recoil in fear. God is our refuge and strength in time of trouble; therefore, we will not fear (Psalm 46). Let us unite with other Christians and lift our nation, our leaders, our churches, and our communities and families to God. I hope each of you will take some kind of positive step of faith in the face of the challenges our world faces today. Join with someone and pray.