Jesus told us that one of the marks of the last days would be, "wars and rumors of wars," (Matt.24:6). While warfare with all its brutality has been characteristic throughout history, as labor pains intensify as the baby is about to arrive, so we may expect an increasingly painful and bloody time before the birth of a new world when Christ's kingdom comes. The weapons of war have developed in their deadliness exponentially.
The winds of war are blowing. The Russian bear is on the prowl and the Chinese dragon is breathing fire and threatening. Likewise, radical Islam seeks to spread its terror abroad and annihilate the state of Israel. How shall we respond?
Not in fear, but with faith. We do not surrender to bad news, but spread good news. We do not take up literal weapons, but dress in the spiritual armor God has provided. Then, we head into the arena of conflict:
"praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel," (Eph.6:18-19).
God has called us to project His power into the world through prayer. We have missionaries "under cover," in dangerous places where our prayers are needed. We have fellow believers who are facing persecution for their faith. Tyranny is on full display in Canada and we have witnessed churches shuttered and pastors shackled. That hits close to home.
Please pray--pray for this nation, pray for our world, pray for our leaders (Scripture commands it), pray for the peace of Jerusalem, pray for our churches and for our missionaries. Pray, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
Yours in Standing in the Gap,
Dennis Thurman, AMS
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