Last week, Texas governor Rick Perry held a prayer rally, also known as “The Response” at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The event drew much controversy. Some felt it was a case of government-supported religion, specifically, Christianity. Also, there was concern about the reputations of some of the Christian leaders and organizations participating in the event. Being a preacher and a Christian blogger, as opposed to a politician, I don’t want to get bogged down with the identities of these so-labeled controversial persons or groups.
According to Governor Perry and supporters of the rally, America is a nation in crisis, and needs God’s help. Though I am a preacher, I understand why such a prayer rally being called for by a governor, as opposed to religious leaders, would be unsettling to many Americans. First of all, not all Americans believe in God. Then, some see the rally as a violation of the separation of church and state. Generally, Americans do want God in America, but certain areas are off limits to Him such as their government and their personal lives.
I agree with Governor Perry that America is a nation in crisis. Whether America wants God’s help or not, she desperately needs it. Unfortunately, God does not bless a nation on its terms but on His. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord....,” the Bible says (Psalm 33:12). Conversely, the more we move away from God and declare war on His ways, the less blessed we will become as a nation.
As I watched the debt ceiling debate, it became abundantly clear to me that based on the current mix of representatives in our two houses of Congress, our federal government has become dysfunctional. I sense that the international community has grown very doubtful of our ability to handle our business. Moreover, I fear that what we will see in the immediate future is serious gridlock in Washington. Believe me, I hope I am wrong, but there is very little encouragement from what I see.
As the two houses of Congress have assigned their members to the “supercommittee” that’s supposed to come up with the additional cuts as part of the debt ceiling deal that was recently reached, it looks like a perfect recipe for failure to get things done. Again, I hope I am wrong. We need competent and godly men and women in Washington who know how to work together for the good of our country, but even more so, America needs God’s help. So let me close by saying that if we want to see a turn around in our country we need to seriously pray for America to turn to God.
Copyright ©2011 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
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