Calling on Heaven

When the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, that is reliable instruction for us. So often, we try to work things out on our own without relying on the power of Almighty God. But, He desires for us to partner with Him, call upon His name, and see Him do incredible things. 1st Thessalonians 5 states:
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Recently, in our nation's capital, a select group of powerful people met to discuss matters of relevance for our country.  One top-shelf issue had to do with a major disaster that had hit a region of the state of Texas. The Washington Stand reports that, according to CBN, a member of the President's Cabinet prayed: “Father, we’re humbled by your grace. We’re humbled by your mercy. God, we surrender to you. Jesus, you are the great Redeemer...Lord God, as we work together as a cabinet … [we pray] that you would give us all the tools that we need to show up and support and help to rebuild and to restore.”

Those were the words of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, himself an ordained minister, as he prayed over the situation involving the deadly and devastating flash flooding in Texas. He also prayed: “God, we lift up the families that are mourning, that are grieving, those families that are hurting. Oh God, we pray for a peace that surpasses all understanding,” adding, “Those that are still there, that are alive — we pray that we would find them and bring them back to their families.”

In an interview with Tony Perkins of Family Research Council, Turner said this: “To be in the White House, to be in the Cabinet Room, and to pray is very humbling and a great honor,” adding, “President Trump has made it very clear that prayer is important, not just for the cabinet meeting, but for those who are in leadership and those in our country. … I’m so grateful to have a president who values prayer, who values faith in Christ and Christianity.”  Turner, as the article notes, also opened up the first Cabinet meeting in prayer.

As the writer of the Washington Stand article, Joshua Arnold, notes: "As with any authority, the primary task of a national government is to act for the benefit of those under its authority. The Trump administration has sought to do just that by responding vigorously to Texas’s needs. For instance, as HUD secretary, Turner has provided shelter, food, counseling, and family assistance in Texas, as well as offering rebuilding loans to those who lost homes in the flooding."

Another Washington Stand piece drives that point home - and stresses the importance of powerful partners.  He told Tony Perkins:

“[We’re] working with our local partners, the whole of government from a federal, state, and local standpoint, working with faith-based institutions to make sure that we’re serving people on the ground — those that are doing the search and rescue and those that have been impacted by the floods — to make sure that we’re providing shelter, food, counseling, family assistance,” Turner explained. “And so, HUD is here now, but we’ll also be here for the long haul. And when I tell you that we have a group of people that really care, I do mean that. And so, we’ll be here until the end to make sure that people's lives and homes are rebuilt.”

The article goes on to say:

Turner praised the faith-based organizations that have continued to respond to the floods. He also recognized their importance during the California fires and other natural disasters.

“[We’re] working with … nonprofit organizations also in North Carolina, like the Samaritan’s Purse and others who are working to serve people who have been impacted by these natural disasters,” Turner recalled. “I was speaking at a pastors’ roundtable there in North Carolina, where churches literally came together to feed those who [were] without food, to give water to those who are in need, to give clothing to [them]. One church even started a small bank to give micro loans to people to restart their businesses. And so, the faith-based institutions are the ones that have their hands to the plow and their feet on the ground, that are actually doing the work.”

Turner also directed HUD to provide foreclosure relief to hundreds of families devastated by the flooding. 

Our leaders need our prayers.  As Joshua Arnold noted at The Washington Stand: "Because God instituted government as a positive good, Christians are instructed to pray for governing officials."

We can be thankful for those who serve the public in our governmental entities.  There are Bible-believing Christians who do their work unto the Lord in the federal, state, county, and city government systems, and their influence is very important.  Some actually choose to support Faith Radio and other charitable organizations through their annual campaigns. 

It is always gratifying to see the government recognize the incredible capacity of the faith community to do powerful, life-sustaining work.  And, when the power of the Holy Spirit is unleashed in our communities, change can take place - in the area of medical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual arenas. We can consider how God might be leading us to serve others by plugging into and supporting organizations that love the Lord and love people.  And, here at Faith Radio, we urge you to prayerfully consider a much-needed, generous gift, in order that lives can be transformed.