by Betsy Roy
Much has happened in our nation since the beginning of August 2017 (Charlottesville, VA, and Hurricane Harvey) and we are facing more in the forms of natural disasters (Wildfires in the West and Hurricane Irma approaching the East Coast) as well as a very real existential nuclear threat from North Korea.
Much may be happening in your personal world as well. Perhaps you are suffering with sickness, economic uncertainty, personal and family problems. Perhaps you are in the path of wildfires and hurricanes. 
It can all seem so overwhelming! Jesus taught us that we should not be surprised when these things happen. We will face trials and tribulations in this life, but He also said to be of “good cheer” because He has overcome the world and came to defeat the power of the enemy. No doubt it can be a struggle to be of good cheer. Yet despite all circumstances and difficulties the Bible teaches us to “be joyful always, pray continually (unceasingly); give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18.
It is a very difficult time in our nation and perhaps for you personally. God’s answers are to pray and to be imitators of Christ, living lives worthy of our calling as His disciples. It’s time to pull together and to gather together for prayer 
and repentance. It’s time to seek the Lord, seek humility and seek righteousness. Zephaniah 2:1 – 3. We are a nation and a church that has put other gods before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! We have submitted ourselves to the false gods of pleasure and convenience. May the Holy Spirit bring conviction to our hearts and draw unbelievers to Jesus. Please pray daily and also pray in groups, whether small or large. Make time for it please! Pray that the Church in the United States will rise up and become a strong and healthy Church. Pray for our President and elected officials. the Bible doesn’t tell us that we must agree with them or their politics. The Bible does tell us to pray for them in 1 Timothy 2: 1-2 “so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! If you don’t know how to pray, begin by just telling God what’s going on and asking for “help, Lord, help!” Then open your Bible and you can pray verses from the Bible. Here’s an example from Ephesians 3:16 – 19. Everyone needs more spiritual strength to overcome temptations, live a godly life or just to even deal with the day to day issues of life. You can also ask the Holy Spirit to help you to pray because he knows the perfect will of God and he knows how to pray. Allow him to pray through you. Romans 8:26 – 27. He helps us in our weakness.
We must also act out our faith and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in order to be “light” and “salt” to the world despite hard times. A kind word, a listening ear, and a comforting shoulder can go a long way. Let the Lord walk through you. That’s how He is made known to others – through us, His disciples. Be His hands, His feet, His voice, His loving arms. And let no unwholesome talk or posts on Facebook or other social media be among us please, but only that which will build up and encourage.
The cultural war will not be won by an independent Church that is divided and quarreling. The Body must pray and work together following the Holy Spirit. Let us pray and act towards unity in the Body. If you feel offended by something someone says whether to you or on social media or the news then please take a moment to breathe. Before spouting off, please take it to the Lord. Guard your tongue please and guard your postings. People are getting quite agitated and upset. Can we be a calming influence and the voice of the Lord to bring peace? First there must be peace in our life, and in the life of our local church before we can expect there to be peace across denominations and then in the world. World peace sounds so nice, but it’s not going to happen until we are committed and submitted to the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus! Only HE brings true and lasting peace.
At Women of the Word we are committed to unceasing prayer which is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are also committed to righteous and holy living as the Bible teaches. Our fall events in 2017 will begin on Friday evenings with a corporate Concert of Prayer and Worship. Prayer will be led by our speakers and leadership team and we will also break into small groups so that the women can engage in prayer, praying for national, global and individual concerns. It’s time to pray with and for one another ! And then, we must act like we pray! Will you join us?
Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord! Psalm 117