Friday, September 12, 2008

The day when the world stopped to pray

Today’s Reading: John 15:20b (NIV)

20b [Jesus said,] “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

Good morning!

Yesterday, I made my way to the rose garden at the Historic Courthouse in St. Charles, Missouri. My heels made a loud clicking noise against the cement sidewalk. It is hard to be quiet when you are in a hurry, and I was sprinting to get to get to the prayer meeting already in progress. As I neared the iron gates, I could smell the fresh scent of the roses floating in the breeze, and hear the prayers spoken over the microphone. From the edge of the garden, one could sit and enjoy the breath-taking beauty of Old Town St. Charles and watch the grand Missouri river roll by. I slipped into a chair underneath one of the garden's shady oak tree, and took in the panoramic view. It was the first moment of real silence I had experienced all morning, maybe even all week, and I was thankful to have found my way to this place at this particular moment in time.

In the quiet of the garden, there was a buzz of activity happening all around me. From busy bumblebees seeking refuge in the rose bushes, to the buzz of the IPOD’s humming in the ears of joggers who were exercising their right to exercise on their lunch hour, the garden was filled with static electricity. I remembered how the country came to a screeching halt just seven short years ago, as four US airplanes crashed and burned in an act of terrorism on our own American soil. Where were you on September 11, 2001? Do you remember the day when the world stopped to pray together?

Jesus reminded His disciples that they will experience persecution in life. Conviction of heart and matters of faith seem to fan the flames of war throughout human history, and that has not changed even in the year 2008. Jesus said that if we would choose to obey the Father’s teaching, people would obey us also. From where I sit, it appears that Americans have somehow forgotten the importance of obedience. Is it far easier for folks to simply forget than stop and take a moment to remember the price that was paid for our ultimate freedom long ago.

I pray that my country will once again choose to humble its heart and become willingly obedient to the Word of our Lord. Jesus Christ is the hope of our salvation and true freedom will only be found in Him. Remember the cross that was pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center seven years ago? It still stands.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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1 comment:

FUSION Prayer said...

Dear Deb,

I so love your thoughts and comments about our nation, and God's desire for His people to turn back to Him in prayer. He continues to show me the great and mighty things He has planned for my life, our nation, and His people through my time with Him.

I also want to thank you for attending the Cry Out America prayer gathering on September 11th, and I look forward to joining together for His purposes more in the days ahead.

Looking up and reaching out,
Vickie Thompson
St. Charles County Prayer Coordinator
reallife.4god@yahoo.com