1For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13
If we listen to the news today; we would believe that our nation is broken beyond repair-split between so many ideas that could never be united. We watch violent protests, politicians with no respect for truth nor the laws of our land. We see heated arguments played out on our news broadcasts. We see anger, terror, lies and the portrayal that our liberties are squelched by what might be called political correctness. It seems all that the news medias want is to further divide and sensationalize our differences for their own financial gain. Yet, if you walk outside for a moment; I think you would see the true greatness of this land. You would see someone stopping to give a helping hand to a stranger. You would see the hearts of the police who sacrificially serve their communities while facing evils that we dare not even think about. Our greatness as a nation is our ability to unite and stand strong with one true battle cry, ““I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I am proud to be a Christian and I am also proud to be an American where I defend liberty and justice to all regardless of their faith, race or gender. I do ask that I, as a Christian; be afforded those same liberties as well without fear.
To all my Christian brothers and sisters, let me remind you that we must unite in prayer for our nation. We must then go forth and proclaim the name of Jesus unashamedly; while at the same time displaying the truth of His gospel through love, grace, humility and kindness. We must stand firm for what we believe; yet, we must do so with dignity, grace and love.
A Prayer for Our Nation
by Effie Darlene Barba
I listened to the news today
Their crafted words were meant to sway
My mind to turn and think their way
The truth I dare not really say
Their words portrayed a great divide
And bid me then to take a side
A battle built of human pride
While truth and justice set aside
Our Country torn and broke apart
No hope to find a brand new start
And then I looked within my heart
I must not delay to do my part
And so, I bowed my head today
While for my country I will pray
For truth, for love, for grace to sway
To shine a light by words I say
“Give me the strength, dear Lord to stand
With humble love to heal this land
Not water down the truth I know
Through kindness then your love to show
Give me words to speak, make me wise
Yet, never, never compromise
I cannot deny the Only One
Who loved us so You sent Your son
To bleed and die upon that cross
I’d rather die or suffer loss
Than e’er deny my God, my King
Let bells once more of freedom ring
And never deny my right to say
To God, I bow my head to pray
Teach me Oh Lord to stand for you
With gentle grace and honor true
As I look upon Christ’s gentle face
To understand your love and grace
I must not compromise my stance
Yet do so with a love filled glance
And so, dear Lord I bow my head
Teach me to walk where you have led
And fight this war down on my knees
Where I might there your will then seize
The original picture of the flag is from: http://www.123rf.com/profile_stillfx I did use photoshop to add the cross with the praying woman.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.