One of our city-by-city intercessors contacted me this week to say she had been praying at her local police precinct and wanted to know if others in her area wanted to join her. It’s a great suggestion. We all remember when BLM emerged inciting violence against police. During that time I drove by one of our precincts and saw a woman standing outside alone holding a sign which said, “We love our police.”
It broke my heart that she stood all alone. I wanted to change that.
I tried to get a church or two involved to allow me to create teams (I said I would do all the work) so we could pray at each precinct in our area. I also wanted to take treats to our police officers to encourage them. I was told no. They didn’t want to be involved. I was shocked at their refusal to stand with and for our law enforcement. But realized to do so required they take a stand against the political narrative painting all police as corrupt. They might lose congregation members by taking a stand and so they chose to remain “neutral.” But neutral isn’t a position. It is actually a choice.
NEUTRAL IS A POSITION FOR THE NEGATIVE
In Colorado this past month a woman went to 25 churches asking the pastors for an opportunity to share with congregation members a petition to encourage Colorado lawmakers to make abortion illegal. Since it is now a state-by-state issue, this is very important! Of the 25 churches only 3 of the pastors were willing to help. THREE.
Our pastor friend in that area, who did actively get involved, said it grieved his heart so much that he planned to go to the 23 churches who “didn’t want to get involved in politics” to follow up. He wanted to pray with the pastors and talk to them. If as churches, ministries and Christians we refuse to get involved in areas that affect daily lives, what are we doing? The Bible is clear on these issues. This is not about “politics.” It is about righteousness, truth and justice. If we don’t speak up who will?
It is because the Church removed themselves from these important decisions years ago that our country now flounders and the Church has been neutralized and largely ineffective.
This issue gets down to a fundamental issue in our land of identity and destiny. If we don’t know who we are, we can’t fulfill our destiny. When the Church doesn’t recognize her call to be salt and light in the darkness regarding issues such as abortion, homosexuality/transgenderism, pornography, freedom of speech, proliferation and legalization of drugs, etc. then we don’t understand our identity. Jesus never backed down from discussions in areas that affected the daily lives of people—so why do we?
This is our prayer focus this week especially for police and pastors who are called to be protectors.
Father God we enter Your gates with thanksgiving that we can come into Your Presence. You are worthy of our praise. In this time of need, we pray for our police and law enforcement officers, our first-responders and all who are in vocations where they risk their lives to save others. We pray your hedge of protection around them and your favor upon them. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. We are watching that now.
We pray regarding those who demonize these vocations. Some do so because they have taken up offense and believe the lie that all are bad—we pray their eyes are opened.
But there are also many intent on instilling lawlessness and removing any who stand in their way. May their lies and attacks be revealed for what they are—an attempt to remove police from their seat of authority as protectors in our cities. We pray over our police officers, sheriffs, security guards and any who are in jobs as protectors. We pray over the budgets for these areas in each city. May they be well paid and may they have the equipment they need to do their jobs. We bless them Lord. We also pray that any who are in those positions who are not walking with integrity, but who have aligned with darkness and misuse their power, Father remove them from those positions. Clean out the corruption in every city, county and state as well as at the federal level so that there can be renewed trust.
Father we pray also for pastors, churches and ministries across our nation who are unwilling to join in the fight for truth and freedom. For those who have bought the lie that the Church should remain “out of politics” open their eyes to see that they have become ineffective and silenced. Father we pray You would open their eyes to recognize the role of the Church and the importance of truth in the pulpit. Engage them Lord as the Black Robe Regiment in days of old who empowered their communities with courage and truth. Fill these leaders with courage to replace pride, offense and deception.
We pray that ministries would actually minister and churches would be places of hope, truth and righteousness to feed and protect the sheep and reach their communities. For those afraid of losing their 501c3 status and the money incentives that come with it, we pray You would give them courage to remember that You are their provider not the government. For the love of money is the root of all evil.
We pray for the shepherds who care more for themselves more than their flock. The day is now here in which the Lord spoke, I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. Father may the ineffective churches shut down and may those who courageously stand for You be churches bursting at the seams that the lost and hurting can recognize and run to their light. Strengthen the pastors who have stood boldly. Bless them Lord.
Jesus You are our example. You did not bow to corrupt government leaders, but boldly stood for truth. You ARE truth. May we boldly stand for truth and may our churches and ministries be beacons of light to those who are confused, fearful, angry and searching.
In this time of confusion and fear in our nation, may we Your people, know who we are and may others recognize it and come to us for help. We pray for revival.
We choose to fight the good fight of faith and take hold of eternal life to which we are called. We will not be cowardly or unbelieving, but follow after Christ who was our example to stand strong in righteousness. We call to You in this hour for righteousness and justice.
Ps 100:4, 1 Tim 2:1-4, Matt 24:12, Ez 34:8-10, I Tim 6:10 & 12, Rev 21:8