(I will be away from my computer next week. Next Karen’s Korner will be Monday, November 9. Happy Halloween. Don’t forget to vote!)
Another entry from Allen Jackson’s “Let’s Pray for America”; Thirty Prayers for Our Nation’s Future:
For the Church to be Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world…..let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
~ Matthew 5:13-14; 16
“In our society, we’ve created laws to restrain evil, but those laws don’t produce good. You see, it’s not the government’s job to make people righteous---that’ the Church’s assignment. We are called to be salt and light to the world. That means we should have a sense of urgency around sharing the gospel frequently, widely, consistently, and unrelentingly. That’s the only thing that will bring a change to human hearts---not more law, different politicians, or different majorities.
“As salt and light, we’re here to win people to the Lord, not make war on them. We have to pray for the ungodly with compassion. We have to tell them our Jesus-story. We don’t have to engage in wickedness or their immorality, but we do need to have compassion on them. Our faith is intended to be linked to the conviction that something is happening---God is moving. He loves every person, and He has called you and me to be the expression of the Spirit of God on earth.”
LET’S PRAY
“Lord, we accept the assignment You’ve given us to be salt and light in the earth, to be an expression of the triumph of Jesus Christ. Give us the courage and compassion to share the gospel with people You put in our path, so You can change their hearts. We repent for the times we’ve hidden in the shadows and not embraced our calling. Lord, give us the wisdom to be salt and light in a way that expresses Your Spirit and pleases You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
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