THE “FRENZY” FOR PRAYER

Prayer is important for a Christian. It is an integral part of our walk with the LORD. Prayer is an inalienable aspect of our Christian life. Prayer connects us with the LORD of all Creation Himself. The LORD Himself asked us to pray.

The LORD asked us to pray for those in authority. The LORD asked us to obey the law of the land. The LORD asked us to pay our taxes – by giving to Caesar what is due to Caesar. We are to be people, called to be the “salt” and “light” in the place where we are.

These days, most churches are on an overdrive about prayer, since there is an election. There is a ‘fear’ or ‘concern’ that things may get worse if things go the way, they are going now. True, that persecution of Christians has increased manifold. Persecution, surely is, a matter of concern, for all of us.

Forgive me dear friend, and my fellow Christians, I think there is something not very comforting in our approach to the whole thing of persecution and elections, and the future of our dear nation. Should we pray for elections? Yes, we should. Should we pray for good leaders to take the positions of power? Yes, we should. Should we take interest in the elections? Yes, we should. Prayer for the nation is a good thing, and appreciable. So then, one may ask, “What is the discomfort about?”

My discomfort is because, we should be weeping and fasting in prayer for the Church to be a true reflection of its Master, LORD and Redeemer. Sadly, some of the most corrupt people and groups are the “followers” of Christ. Many of our pastors, leaders and ordinary Christians are criminals…actual criminals. I have seen it with my own eyes. Many big seminaries, churches and organisations are a sham…honestly speaking…to be called “Christian” is a shame – don’t you think so?

My discomfort stems from my experiences over these many years, that we, as Church in India, don’t have much love for our nation. We are praying now, because, we are “afraid” the persecution may increase, and become legitimised. This fear is, may be, not out of love for our nation, but out of fear of being persecuted.

How many churches hoist national flags in their premises, on our Independence Day, and the Republic Day? How many churches pray for our leaders, in our regular prayers, both in the Church and privately? Do we fast and pray that we be good and responsible citizens of this nation, which gave us freedom?

I was part of an Indian delegation for an international gathering in a foreign country, more than 20 years ago. We were asked to make a presentation as a group. I suggested we sing our national anthem. The response of the group shocked me. There was intense dislike, and a stubborn resistance. The point is not whether we sing it or not, but the intense dislike to sing it. Such a feeling is very much prevalent among the “christian” circles. How many of us sang the national anthem in our churches?

We, as christians, should learn to love the nation and its people, as citizens of our nation, and not merely pay some lip service. I think, the LORD whom we serve, expects this loyalty from us, towards the nation, He gave us, as our motherland. We seem to have greater love, admiration for other lands, and fawn all over them. It is good to remind ourselves that, India and Indians are one of the very few nations who never persecuted Jews and Christians, all through its history. It may have its own faults and drawbacks, but it gave space, and did not persecute us.

WE NEED TO BE FASTING, PRAYING and REPENTING WITH TEARS, FOR OURSELVES, MORE THAN SOME ELECTION that has come upon us. Let us read, 2 Chronicles 7:14, to know and realise what the LORD is expecting from us, as Christians and His disciples – “14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Let us read it again.

May the LORD help us see the “log” in our eyes, than care to point out the “speck” in someone else’s eye. The LORD Jesus is well capable to protect his children and He surely will. The three Hebrew children were hold and confident because they were walking the path that the LORD had called them to walk. Therefore, – “16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” – Daniel 3:16-18. How about us?