10/30/2020 Prayer

Empty Freedom - Liberty is not license
 “When men play God, presently they behave like devils.”  Edmund Burke, philosopher
 2 Peter 2:19 – They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption.
  
Freedom defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. So are you free? You probably tell yourself that you are; after all, you live in a country where you can vote, where you can go wherever you want to when you want to, do anything you might want to do and at a time when you want to do it or say what you want whenever you want to and to whomever you choose. Are you sure? Do you ever give in to that second cup of coffee? Does anxiety ever grip you?  Or, ridiculously, do you ever just run a red light because you don’t feel like putting your foot on the brake pedal? Rules govern everything and everyone.  Traffic laws, tax laws, copyright laws, laws of gravity, God’s laws regarding holiness.
 
The Bible has much to say about freedom. God’s freedom means a release from the bondage of one’s sins, not the freedom to engage in them. Liberty is not license! The whole of chapter 2 of 2 Peter deals with the things that hold you in bondage, and your freedom from them, giving a clear warning against people who promise a false freedom.
 
Christians are called to obey God’s laws. It isn’t about legalism, it’s about loving obedience. Anyone guilty of violating the laws of God deserves eternal damnation; and every human being is guilty. But Jesus redeemed you from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for you (Galatians 5:13).  That is real freedom.
 
Meanwhile, you must honor the freedoms you have been granted in America—freedoms endowed by your Creator, not to be tampered with by government. The Bill of Rights doesn’t grant you freedoms; it says the government cannot take them away!  This year, every citizen is free to vote. It is a freedom not to be taken for granted; and it is a freedom envied around the world. Don’t squander it. Don’t fall for “picking the lesser of two evils is still evil.” That will only result in surrendering your freedom.

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Heavenly Father, You are the Author of freedom; but you are also the Author of laws and orderliness.  Thank You for the freedoms that have been granted to us through Your Son Jesus.  Thank You for the freedoms that obedience to Your laws gives. Keep us mindful of the cost paid by Your Dear Son, Jesus, to secure our eternal freedom.
 
Father we ask that you would bless the poll workers that are following the law and protect them from harm.  And likewise we would ask that you would thwart those who are breaking the law and trying to steal this election.
 
O Holy God, you are a God of justice. You love righteousness and what is good. Your word has given so many guidelines to how people are to govern themselves including how judicial systems are to react. We are saddened that the confirmation of such a knowledgeable person as Judge Barrett has become the source of such conflict and hate. We desire a nation that reflects your values as set out in the Bible. A righteous nation whose God is the Lord. Preserve our SC, O God. Let it be a righteous steward of the constitution to keep our nation stable and great so that we might be that shining city on a hill whose light and love for you is not hidden.
 
Father, we also lift up all races on our ballots including our local school board races, city councils  local and state Judges, other state office races, and our Federal races such as John Cornyn, Beth Van Duyne and President Trump and VP Mike Pence. Father guide these candidates and turn their hearts toward you where needed.
 
For the sake of your glory we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen

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PRAYER POINTS FOR THIS ELECTION:

• Pray for God to be with Justice Amy Coney Barrett as she begins her tenure on America’s Supreme Court.
• Pray for each of the justices to be like-minded in support of the Constitution and the laws that govern our nation.
• Pray for integrity and justice in the Supreme Court.
• Pray that each justice on the High Court would remain non-partisan and rule on the law and truth alone.
• Pray for the many judges, federal and state, to seek God’s guidance and direction in each decision that they render.
• Pray that America would respond to all crises by turning to God in prayer and lifting up their grievances to Him.
• Pray for healing in all areas of American politics and that our government officials can come together to appoint future judges.
• Pray for the legacy of the Constitution and the history of the nation to be honoring to God and to bring glory to His name.
• Pray in thanksgiving to God for showing through His Word how we should govern ourselves.

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AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP…

• For the insurance industry to fully comply with President Trump’s price transparency reforms.
• For the people of the United States as they seek to regain financial stability in the wake of the pandemic shutdowns.
• For the president as he travels and speaks to the residents of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.​

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References / Resources:
https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/pray-the-vote/#prayer
 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2&version=NKJ

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