A Christian’s Response to Terrorism

“But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant! They wander about in darkness, while the whole world is shaken to the core.” Psalm 82:5

Once again, Americans have been shaken by the tragedies that have happened this past weekend, particularly the mass shooting in Orlando. My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this act of terror; may God surround you as you walk through this difficult time.

To those who are mystified and even scared about how to proceed as these random acts of terror seem to go by unhindered, I want to take a few moments to remind you of a few things.

What to Do While You Wait

Let integrity and uprightness preserve me for I wait on thee. –Psalm 25:21

If you are going to wait gracefully before the Lord and do it in accordance with the Word, you have to maintain your integrity and uprightness.

Integrity can be defined as “firm adherence to a moral standard.” Our moral standard as Christians is the Word of God. If we’re going to wait on the Lord, it needs to be while we live in line with the Word of God and firmly adhere to the Word of God.

The Election Is Done: Now What?

Another election has passed. You’re probably feeling any or all of the following:

1. Elation that the candidates you wanted were elected to office.
2. Frustration that other candidates you wanted didn’t make it in.
3. Relief that you won’t have to watch political ads for a while.
4. Election? I already forgot about it.

Although it will take a while for political pundits to wade through the implications of the election, many Americans will move on much sooner. Yet, I want to encourage you to continue to stay connected to the political realm. Here’s how:

How We Learn God’s Will

Did you know that you can pray in tongues and receive understanding about your future? As we pointed out earlier, every time you pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit is praying through you the perfect will of God, sometimes for other people, often for your own life.  It is the Holy Spirit’s job to reveal God’s will to you for your life as you do so.

“Why can’t God just send some preacher to me who will tell me God’s will?”

Look at 1 Corinthians 2:8.

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (KJV)

If the enemy would have known what God had planned for the future, he would have never crucified Jesus. The implication is the same for you. If the enemy knew God’s plan for your life, he would put up roadblocks and try to stop what God wanted to do. That’s why God is going to reveal His will to you this way. He will give you the interpretation of what the Spirit is praying about so you can get glimpses of His will and begin building images of your future on the basis of that revealed will.

Keep America in Your Prayers

Words cannot describe the emotions America is currently dealing with as we remember the innocent lives taken in Connecticut last Friday. Prayers have been offered all over the country for those affected; we here in Brooklyn Park are among the many who continue to pray for God’s peace, strength, and grace to surround those affected by this senseless tragedy.

For parents, especially, this situation hits home as we try to comprehend the loss of innocent children these Connecticut families are facing. President Obama stated it well when he said, “Every parent in America has a heart heavy with hurt” as well as his statement about “holding our children as close as we can and reminding them how much we love them.”

As we move forward as a nation, remember that prayer is vital. Keep every child, parent, and family affected in your prayers. Pray for Sandy Hook Elementary and Newtown, Connecticut. Pray for America’s leaders as they address how to move forward as a nation, and pray for America. America needs God more than ever, and your prayers pave a way for Him to work.