Thursday, April 16, 2009

A TEA Party

It's Saturday night and I can't sleep. I'm thinking about our country and I'll spare the details of what I am thinking, but my heart is very heavy and I am proving how small my faith really is.

I realize that I invited some friends to join me in prayer next Wednesday as many TEA parties are held all over our nation. I am not aware of any such organized event in our area and decided to do something a little different and way out of my comfort zone. I invited them to come and pray together for our nation. To identify leaders at all levels that we can encourage for doing the right thing and challenge others to choose the right thing. And, I realize that I do not want to go. So, why did I invite them?

To quote my own e-mail,

"I admit that I am not really very interested in politics or in getting involved in political things. However, the more this idea (TEA parties) comes to my attention - the more I cannot ignore that I should not sit by and do nothing...

...Please hear my heart, I want this to be peaceful, God-honoring yet not sitting at home and hoping desperately that God would change the heart of our nation and bring revival for Him while I do nothing about it."

Tonight, I am wondering what He wants to teach me, how He wants to grow my faith and where I should go in His Word for insight or wisdom on how to pray.

As I submit to listening to where He wants me to begin - these are Scriptures that come to mind:

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Psalm 20:7-8, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God, They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm."

Isaiah 54:17, "...no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me."

Matthew 6:9-13, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

Genesis 15:6, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

Matthew 18:19-20, "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Nehemiah 2: 17-18, "Then I said to them, 'You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.' I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, 'Let us start rebuilding.' So they began this good work."

Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he." KJV

I Peter 3:8-16a, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,

'Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.'

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? but even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 'Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.' But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience..."

Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

2 Chronicles 7:14- , "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Thank You, Lord, for the peace that came through searching Your Word and typing it here.

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My friend Kelly and her children came and joined us and we had lunch, a good time of fellowship and prayed for our country. I hope that I will continue to uphold our nation and our leaders in prayer. I am so thankful that I know God is in control!

For me, the concern is not really over taxes. That feels like one of the last things on my list. I'm just heavy hearted about some of the decisions being made right now in our country and how that impacts future generations of Americans not to mention current-day Americans.

Lord, please guide our nation back to You! And, enable me to trust You with whatever comes and whether I agree or not. I am so glad that You are in control! And, I pray for our leaders - that they would come to know You and make decisions that would please and honor You. Thank You Lord, Amen.

16 comments:

Leanne said...

I loved this post, Monica.
I try to take comfort in the fact that the "darker" the times become...the BRIGHTER our light will shine...and the more people will be attracted to the Savior. I heard a missionary speak on the fact that Christian Americans need to suffer, more. I hate to say it...but she's probably right.
Our greatest and best response to the changing times has to be the way we rear the future generation to stand up and deal with the evolving culture!
I think your time of prayer was an AWESOME example! Thanks for sharing your heart!
Leanne

Just Me said...

Fantastic post, Monica. I did go to the Tea Party in Houston - it was incredibly peaceful, energetic, inspiring and of the four people I stayed to hear speak, ALL four of them spoke of the Christian fundamentals our forefathers built our country on - and two of them quoted scripture and one had us pray together. We live in interesting yet troubling times, and I am inspired by your post - that we definitely should be praying for our leader's, as well as writing our Representatives! Thank you.

Leatha Houk said...

This was a wonderful post! I'm so glad you shared what was on your heart. Everything you said was so true and godly. God was truly laying this on your heart to share and I'm so glad you did!! I am encouraged by your post and I appreciate that you posted scripture with your thoughts/prayers. I'm praying for a revival of God's people to go to their knees and I'm praying for a revival of hearts to be turned toward Him.

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

Amen. I'm praying with you and share your feelings. I feel like I'm having a virtual tea party right now with you as I read God's scriptures that you've written. You also have me thinking about doing something similar in my own community.
Blessings,
Nancy
www.basketmasterweavings.blogspot.com

Michele said...

Great post, Monica!

Elise said...

Monica,
Those are some GREAT verses!! Very comforting to know that our God is in control, not the people in "power". I think this is all coming because we as Christians have been lax in our views or not expressing them. Instead of writing to ABC, NBC, etc. about their trash shows, we just don't watch them. Meanwhile, we{us, our children, the impressionable others} are being desensitized to homosexuality, fornication, drinking, etc. I love it how ABC family will add on their little disclaimer after The 700 Show, that the preceding telecast doesn't reflect the views of ABC Family. But pregnant teenagers does?? What is that saying??
Sorry to go on a tirade, but I don't want and will not have the powers that be teach my children what is right and wrong!!
Hope you have a wonderful Thursday, Monica!! Now, I must get ready to host a special blog friend tomorrow.
Elise

bigcitymama said...

Hi-
I am a regular reader and have a question about this post. (meant in the spirit of learning and discourse - NOT judgement) - my issue with not separating church and state is this - basically, by returning our country to Christian-based leadership, we are telling all other religions that they are wrong and the Christians are right. Don't you feel that all people have the right to their own beliefs? Should Muslims have to observe Christian values? Or Jews? i'm really interested to hear your opinion on this.

Wanita said...

Very well said, Monica. I, too, am praying that our nation will turn back to God.

Amy said...

The Scripture of this post is such an encouragement. My heart is heavy much like yours for our nation, our leaders, and the future generations. Thank you for sharing!

fixedonHIM said...

Monica, Thank you for sharing what the Lord laid on your heart. I am encouraged and so excited to look around and see the Body of Christ truly start to come together and STAND firm for the Lord & His ways.

It can be very disheartening to think about the direction our country is headed and we can easily become weary. However, when we turn to the Lord and continue to pray for this country...to repent for the sins our nation and cry out for His mercy upon this land. These changes our families are experiencing can be viewed from a different perspective.

We are being stripped of our comfort zones & every form of refuge is being removed...except our our complete reliance on & refuge in the Lord!! When we read the Word of God and see how these current events are aligning with the end times...our Faith is being stirred and sharpened. We are getting closer to the return of our Lord & Savior Jesus!! My prayer is that we would lead our families, through the direction of the Holy Spirit to stay on His narrow path and all that encompasses, and that no matter what comes our eyes remain fixed on HIM. He is our Faithful provider in all things!!!

Thank you for this post Monica, it has reminded me to stay the course in this confusing season our family is currently in.

Blessings,
Denise

Melissa said...

I am SO glad you voiced your thoughts on this topic!

Before leaving a comment I often read the other responses... which leads me to "bigcitymama's" question. Instantly I was reminded of another post I read on http://my charmingkids.net/ If you scroll down to the post titled "the truth about Easter" it might give alittle insight into what I feel about "accepting" other religions, letting people chose what they may.

My other comment is for you me dear, Monica. You MUST read the book Honor's Reward by John Bevere. It is giving me so much insight into "how" I need to direct my prayers and words to others regarding our political leaders. It is heavy but so awesome!

~Melissa

Mrs. K said...

Monica~ You did exactly what scripture tells us to, pray for our leaders. God does not call us to be politically active. Thank you so much for these scriptures. I have just recently started Beth Moore's Daniel study and it is awesome, comparing Babylon to the world around us. She uses a figurative Babylon and emphasizes the scripture in Isaiah "I am, and there is none besides me". So many of us in modern day America (and don't get me started on Colonial America) have that attitude. My favorite part of the study so far is where she points out that God will hold true to his word, even when it's bad news as if he is hollering out to us "I'm not kidding!" This got way long but I wanted to thank you for your thoughts and reassure you that you are doing exactly what God asks of you. And your little ladies are blessed to have a mommy like you!

Unknown said...

Amen! Great post, Monica!

Anonymous said...

Your faith is amazing. Thanks for sharing!

Katy said...

Amen and Amen!!! :)
I did go to a Tea Party. I have been in prayer about our country and I know that ultimately God is in control.

I have been becoming more involved in politics over the last year or so. I think it is super important for us to know what is going on in our government and also who we really have in there! :)

Holly Campbell said...

Beautifully said, Monica. In reading this post, I find that I am overwhelmed with so many thoughts. Thank you for writing out the words God Himself has given us, reminding us to be strong, courageous, and faithful.