Just some thoughts about our world, its government and the part we have to play. Obviously uttermost in our thoughts is the new beginning in the USA, but the whole world needs our prayers as well. I feel that most important of all is acknowledging that God (good, Truth) is the ultimate authority and power.
These words of Paul’s in his letter to Timothy have always inspired me – here are 3 versions:
[COLOR="Purple"]I TIMOTHY 2
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (King James Version)
2:1-2 - Here then is my charge: First, supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings should be made on behalf of all men: for kings and rulers in positions of responsibility, so that our common life may be lived in peace and quiet, with a proper sense of God and of our responsibility to him for what we do with our lives.
(JB Philips NT)
1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. (The Message)
Mary Baker Eddy echoed this in a piece she wrote about prayer for our countries:
[COLOR="Blue"]Pray … that justice, mercy, and peace … characterize her government, and that they shall rule all nations. (Pan 14)
I am asked, "What are your politics?" I have none, in reality, other than to help support a righteous government; to love God supremely, and my neighbor as myself. Mary Baker Eddy (Miscellany 276)
Here are a couple of thought-provoking articles that are worth considering:
[url]Who's in charge?[/url]
It's a time of new beginnings. But all too often people bring the same old attitude – the tendency to criticize and pass judgment on those in public office. Even when there's been no wrongdoing. You might say, well, that's politics....
[url]Now that the election is over…[/url]
Now that the US Presidential election is over, our real involvement in politics is just beginning. That’s right; simply casting your ballot didn’t end the momentum. Because, when you think about it, the political fervor we’ve seen is really about something more than just electing a leader. Our hopes are actually bound to something more than just a personality; we hope for what might be called righteous government—government that embodies the spiritual principles that we most cherish. And that’s a right desire, no matter your ideology....
Love and peace,
Judy
II Timothy 3 below is more of what I see happening in the future of the US. We already see this as gay activists lost a democratic vote on gay marriage, yet they have vandalized at least 8 Mormon churches, interrupted a Protestant church service with lesbians kissing, condoms being thrown, calling Jesus a homosexual, and pulling a fire alarm. A 69 year old elderly woman was assaulted for a carrying a fake small cross, white substances were sent to Mormon churches that had to be investigated as possible anthrax, and businesses and churches have been threatened. What we see is the sexually liberal trying to force their will on the rest of America, the antithesis of Democracy. And they are trying to shut down religious groups freedom of speech and churches tax exemptions. Now that Obama has been elected, these far left groups seem emboldened...There is no respect for anyone who is religious - people just care about themselves. Really sad. Here is II Timothy 3:1-5 below.
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.