A Call for Prayer (Please)

As I sat here gazing upon this blank computer screen, thinking about what to write, I found myself enveloped in a myriad of thoughts.  I have felt "blocked" and unable to really focus on what God may be saying to me.  I thought about why that may be, and I recognized the patterns of distraction I have been chasing this summer.

If ever I felt under "attack" by the work of Satan, it is now.  It seems like there are different tactics being used to distract me from my walk with God.  If I were to stop and analyze each of them separately, I would just say, "it's life," and I would move on.  What I'm most concerned about is the pattern.

What's even more disturbing is that I see these kinds of attacks on many different Christians.  Whenever one of us starts to make some progress in the mission of sharing the Good News, we hear about some kind of barrier.  This summer, I have heard so many new cancer diagnoses, more marriages breaking up, more legal issues, more financial burdens than I have ever heard before.  Any and all of these things can stop a believer in their tracks, turning them inward, rather than speaking out for God.

In the meantime, I mourn for the children on the other side of the world, being subjected to torture and death by terrorists simply for theirs and their parents' beliefs.  The evil work of Satan has rapidly increased, and we (brothers and sisters) need to stop paying attention to the distractions in our own life, and start praying and taking offensive action against the evil one.

I plan to spend today praying.  If you think about it, please pray with me.  United, we have a chance.  Separated, we fall.

"I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask,

my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three gather together

as my followers, I am there among them." ~Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)

Remember Who the Real Enemy Is

The movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a compelling one.  This is the second movie of a trilogy, based on a book series by Suzanne Collins.  It is a compelling book series, and I highly recommend reading all three books.

When I saw this movie, I was struck by a single line, "Remember who your real enemy is," spoken by Haymitch Abernathy.  He was referring to the Hunger Games - an arena type game where the 24 tributes selected by the Capitol rulers are forced to kill one another until there is only one left.  None of the tributes are allowed to have mercy for the others if they wish to remain the one alive.  This barbaric game is meant to distract and entertain the capitol city, while at the same time keeping the outlying districts afraid and remain in line.

With the conditions in the arena this way - kill or be killed, it is easy to forget who it was that forced them into the arena, the Capitol rulers.

As Christians, we often come across people that stand in our way, bully us, or even persecute us.  We become hyper focused on the evil ways of these people and think about how we can "fix" them.  If the people are doing these evil acts, they are under the influence of Satan.  Among other things, Satan uses people to stand in the way of Christian fulfilling the purpose that God set out for us.  If we allow ourselves to become distracted by this, we fail in sharing the Good News.  Christ died for us to save us from our sins, and He rose again defeating death.  There is a place for us in Heaven, if only we just believe and accept God's grace and mercy.

Stay united with your Christian brothers and sisters and always remember who your real enemy is.

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are."

~1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)