NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)—The original goal of the secularization of America was to see religion become nonexistent in our nation. This has not happened. However, religion has been neutralized to such a point that often it is silenced. It is evident there are leaders at every level of government across American life who no longer believe or even categorize religion as essential.
That is why we are seeing a decline in and even a resistance to religious and spiritual influence in America. I believe the world is witnessing this struggle of mindsets and worldviews in American life over the potential confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court.
Many in America would deny and even defy what we believe about the authority, infallibility, inerrancy and sufficiency of the Holy Scripture. That is why many believe truth does not come from the Bible, but truth is doing whatever is right in their own eyes. This is why America is in a major crisis, perhaps the greatest crisis in our generation.
Wars between worldviews and mindsets are real. Spiritual warfare is illustrated before us daily. Therefore, those of us who follow Christ wrestle with how we should respond in this present crisis. What should we do?
There were people in the first century who believed human knowledge was above the Holy Scripture. They also did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. That is why the apostle Paul lifted up the deity of Jesus Christ. Paul gave his life calling people to Jesus because he believed Jesus was the Son of God and He died in our place for our sin.
Through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, any person at any time can experience and receive forgiveness of all their sins and the promise of eternal life.
Jesus is the answer, whatever your question may be.
Therefore, what should we do about current crises? I believe we do what the Scriptures teach us to do in Colossians 4:2-6.
- Seek the Lord
We do not need to pray like we are living on another planet, unaware of all that is occurring. America is in a crisis.
We need to prevail, persist and persevere in prayer for America. We do not need to give up on our nation. We need to pray our nation through this present crisis.
We must also be on the alert, actively watching what is happening as we pray for America. Effective prayer gazes toward God, and periodically glances around at our circumstances in life.
Yet as we pray, we are encouraged to do so with a thankful heart, walking in the joy of the Lord, and choosing to delight in Him always. Why?
Whatever your question may be, Jesus is still the answer.
Christians should be praying for our nation. Are you? Is your family?
Is your church prevailing in prayer for America right now? Or does your church believe praying for America is political?
Churches must return to God, return to prayer and return to fasting. Prayerlessness should never occur in a church.
God’s people need to learn from the actions of King Jehoshaphat when surrounded by his enemies and all hope appeared to be gone. He cried out to God in prayer, “We do not know what to do, but we look to You” (2 Chron. 20:12).
While we are seeking the Lord, we also need to:
- Reach the Lost
When we pray, we will have a burden to reach people for Jesus Christ.
We need doors to open, so we can proclaim and share the Gospel with every person in the world. Millions of Americans are lost and in need of Jesus. That is why we pray, we preach, we share, we send and we go.
Every individual and church needs to seek the Lord, asking Him to lead us to a strategic vision for how we can reach every person in our towns or in our cities for Jesus Christ.
While we are seeking the Lord and reaching the lost, we also need to:
- Impact the Culture
We only impact culture one person at a time. When Christ changes a life, He also creates a new attitude that leads to a new direction.
Therefore, in this opportune moment in American history, we must answer the need. That is why we must always speak truth in a wise way and with a loving heart. In other words, the way we communicate truth can open the door for others to hear us.
Our goal should not be to win an argument or have the final word in a conversation. Our number one goal is to reach others for Jesus Christ, not simply to change their minds.
In this national crisis, what should we do?
We need to seek the Lord, reach the lost, and impact the culture.
Is this possible? I believe it is.
God is able to do anything, at any time, with anyone, anywhere.
God can do more in a moment than I can do in a lifetime.
Now is the time to lead.
