Saturday, July 7, 2018
1 Timothy 2:1ff I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority . . .
ASK GOD TO BLESS YOUR COUNTRY
Without a doubt the most famous quote of President John F. Kennedy's presidency is, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
Centuries before JFK uttered these words, Christians the world over had been putting them into practice. Countless Christians have died serving their country in past wars. Others have served faithfully for years in government service. As stewards of the blessings granted to them by the Lord, believers have faithfully rendered some of these blessings unto Caesar in the form of taxes, as per Christ's instruction. As Daniel Webster once said, "Whatever makes men good Christians makes them good citizens."
What does today's Bible say we can do for our country? Pray for it. Pray for the nation. Pray for the government. Pray for your fellow citizens. In your prayers remember to give thanks to God for the freedoms He has given us here, especially the freedom to openly worship the One True God.
But also remember there is no greater thing you can do for your country than to ask your heavenly Father to bless this nation with the declaration of REAL independence -- independence from sin and the punishment we all have so deserved; independence granted freely by the Father through His Son who shed His own, innocent blood on the cross for our real freedom, freely given in the forgiveness of sins.
-- From the "Lutheran Spokesman"
