"As for me, I said in my alarm, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried to You. O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful And fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD." Psalm 31:22-24 NAS
Greetings!
Have you ever felt “cut off” from the Lord? Have you ever been in such despair that you lost hope? We have been receiving prayer requests from hurting and even some self-described “hopeless” friends who have grown weary in prayer over our current, very challenging circumstances – but now is the time to press in, press on and not give up. Hope is not an emotion, it is a decision, because our hope is Jesus the author and foundation of hope. Hope is defined as joyful and courageous expectation that Jesus will not fail us. He may not answer our prayer exactly as we thought or as quickly as we wanted, but He always hears our prayers and acts.
Reverend Martin Luther King believed this as he wrote, preached, and marched in non-violent protests against injustice and inequality. Knowing that his flesh faced death daily, he was filled with hope and walked in faith knowing his soul was secure and his fight was a righteous battle. We honor him this upcoming Monday as we continue to pray and act biblically, still believing Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.”
In the same way, we pray and March for Life; fighting for the lives of the unborn and to end the shedding of innocent blood. Please remember to continue to pray for the Dobbs case that was heard in the Supreme Court in December, as the Justices discuss and eventually decide the case in June. Next week is also the March for Life on January 21, 2022. Please join one of the marches across the U.S. or at least persevere in prayer with those who march peacefully against the “most significant human rights abuse of our time.” Over 62 million babies murdered. Pray that abstinence, adoption, or parenting will be the conviction and decision of those who consider abortion a solution to their untimely or unwanted pregnancy. Pray for the surgeons and nurses who work in these clinics that their eyes and hearts would be open to what they are doing. Pray for lawmakers and judges to value life and make decisions for their states and our nation accordingly. www.marchforlife.org
January is also National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. This battle has been going on for thousands and thousands of years, but we do not cease praying, speaking up, and standing up for the freedom and respect of every life from conception to eternity. We must pray for those who are enslaved and for the conviction of sin and a change of heart for those abusing, purchasing, and trafficking them. Pornography and prostitution must be stopped and so we cannot stop praying and fighting. Satan is at the core of the sin of slavery. We must continue to combat this evil and the evil one.
All of these battles are not new to our generation or even to America. They have required thousands of years of enduring hope. God’s people have been preserved in faith and courage by the Lord who commands and empowers us, His army to battle on earth and in the heavenlies. We live in a broken, sinful world but take heart, Jesus has overcome the world. Until His return, we are called to fight the good fight and so we armor up and fight for every person, all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD.
Will you run into battle with me right now?
King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our wonderful, powerful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, You alone are our hope. We endure in these evil days, making the most of our days knowing You will bring justice, You will bring victory, and every person will stand and give an account of their actions. We will rejoice in You always as You are always on Your throne, and You lead us as we war against all evil. We believe Your Word and claim Your promises and so we are strong, we are courageous, we hope in You!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President, National Day of Prayer Task Force