Slightly later PP edition, but still on course with when the week ends in any case. There have been a number of national, international, personal and social issues this week that could be used for PP, but here are the ones that I’d like you to pray about.
- Looking After All In The Community
Recently I had a conversation with a very dear friend of mine who is the centre manager of a community facility in Derby. She highlighted some of the real failings of the church to get involved in the issues of the community. From the gang culture that is costing lives, to the neglected elderly who are being treated like second class citizens even among their own people.
It is an indictment on those called to bring love, peace and justice around them that these things take place without a response. I don’t think Derby is unique. I am aware of how difficult it is for sincere believers to get any level of agreement and co-operation from churches to get their hands mucky and play their part in reaching all parts of the community with the real love of Jesus Christ. While it’s all well and good to have gospel concert after major church convention and make appeals to keep Christian TV channels going or to maintain the administrative body of the omnipresent and omnipotent denomination, there are more important things in discipleship than this.
It makes a mockery of the gospel to squabble over doctrinal superiority whilst the young struggle with their identity and get involved in a gang and are trapped in the cycle of getting acceptance for anti-social behaviour. It is a mockery to the Kingdom to be more concerned about building funds and not engaging with other denominations whilst the golden generation are left to fend for themselves often lonely and destitute.
The change does not require much, in the words of a good gospel tune, God just needs a few good men (women included obviously). It just takes a few to put heart in action and meet the need that they say as they are equipped by God to do, so that the vital difference can be made in the lives of those looking for what Jesus was proclaiming all along when He said the Kingdom is here. Please as you pray, not only remember this, but act on whatever it is you can do.
- Growing Tension between Human Rights and Religious Conviction
I could not help but smile sadly at the latest case in the courts featuring someone being a Christian who has had their confession of faith clash with an element of the human rights legislation and philosophy. In as much as this particular issue raises all kinds of questions about what society requires from people and how even religious convictions now fall foul of the prevailing cultural mentality, there’s more to this.
Human Rights dialogue did not start in 1948, but it is surprising that it’s taken so long for it to begin to bite into what it means to be a follower of Christ and that suggests something far more concerning about other elements at work. Christians ignore this issue at their peril, because the ruling that affects the couple in Derby today may be a defining issue for churches tomorrow. It can get to a stage where we are challenged again to wonder what do we stand for and how does being a believer effectively relate to the ever prominent secular liberal humanist agenda that is being given wings with decisions like these.
It is interesting to consider the case in the context of the UK’s approach to law and its Christian ethos. It is even more imperative to remain informed of these issues and see how they play into the larger context of what the mission of believers is in this day and age and the cost that it could now incur. Please remember this in your prayers.
- Wisdom and the Kingdom
As you may know, the month of March is given over to the study of Proverbs. I’ve noted over the posts so far that there are definite connections between the ministry of Jesus in proclaiming and demonstrating the Kingdom and the purpose and functions of wisdom according to Solomon.
It is all well and good making the connections and marvelling at them all, but the idea is to apply them or it’s not wisdom at all. Many of the international, national and local issues bring out a need for a wise response. On the one hand we cannot too engrossed in the mechanisms to lose sight of our Kingdom identity and heritage. On the other hand we cannot expect to remain detached and aloof from decisions that are being made around us affecting people’s ability to live in peace.
Inevitably wisdom then is the key to striking the right chord with God as to when to commit and when to withdraw. The more aware of God and the world in which we live, the more we have no other choice but to ask God for wisdom to engage with these issues in a manner pleasing to Him. Please remember this vital issue in your prayers.
Thanks so much for remembering these issues in your prayers and so much more. God hears and answers prayers particularly those that come from the ferbent and effectual prayer type people, so please maintain it and never forget to let me know if there are other issues to be remembered in prayer.
Have a great weekend.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 