Pray for Peace.

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(ThyBlackMan.com) You may know me personally, or you may not know me personally. Whichever happens to be the case, I care about you and your well-being. I pray for you. There is so much going on in the world right now. It seems that few of us know about the good things happening. We hear about the bad things. We read about the bad things. The internet, the newspapers, the cable news networks, and the network evening news programs faithfully administer our non-recommended daily allowance of doom and gloom. Ladies and gentlemen, prayer is needed. I urge you to join me.

Let’s pray for peace.

Let’s pray for peace as it relates to our Senators and our members of Congress. I honestly believe that the vast majority of those in the U.S. Senate and at the House of Representatives are God-fearing, tax-paying, law-abiding citizens who really do care about performing the duties of their elected office decently and in order. They have friends and families just like we do. They have good days and bad days just like we do. They are keenly aware that certain issues – such as job creation, reconciliatory measures to deal with racism, a fair living wage, our tenuous infrastructure, tax inversion by wealthy individuals and large corporations, meaningful immigration reform legislation, and true gender equality – have been ignored for far too long in this country.

These cans have been kicked too many times down too many roads. There comes a time when good people must stand up and ask questions some may find disturbing. Questions like “How did things get this way?” And “How can we address this issue in a way which is for the benefit of as many American people as possible?” And “Am I actively part of the solution – or am I actively part of the problem?” Everyone wants to be respected. Most people want to be well-liked. Everyone needs to feel important. I acknowledge that. Being a Senator or a Congressperson isn’t a popularity contest. It never was, and it never will be. Such a high office demands serious thoughts from serious people on serious matters.

Party affiliation shouldn’t come first – America should come first. So I pray for conversation. I pray for consensus. I pray for reconciliation between Democrats and Republicans, between Democrats and other Democrats, between Republicans and other Republicans. I pray for cooperation between the President and the Senate, between the President and the House of Representatives, and the President and his Cabinet members. Let there be peace – from heart to heart and from breast to breast.

Let’s pray for peace as it relates to armed conflict in the Middle East. Even as Israelites and Palestinians negotiate for peace as it relates to the Gaza Strip, missiles are being launched. Bullets are being fired. Soldiers on both sides are being killed. Innocent civilians on both sides are being killed. If you happen to think that what’s happening over there doesn’t affect you here in America, you’re mistaken. It does. It affects you in ways you may be totally unaware as of yet. The growing threat that is ISIL may demand a limited U.S. military response in both Syria and in Iraq. I am wary of any combative scenario involving our brave men and women in uniform in Iraq. Far too much American blood and treasure has already been spilled and spent there as it is. So I hope for peace in the Middle East. Dear Lord, hear our prayer.

Let’s pray for peace as it relates to the ongoing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin continues to escalate tensions on the Russian border for reasons which are clear only to himself. The sister nations of Russia and Ukraine are currently aiming guns and missiles and tanks and other ordinance at each other rather than calling for a cease-fire so that peace can be negotiated thoughtfully. The economic sanctions imposed upon Russia by President Obama and European nations over the past few months have the Russian economy on the brink of a deep and potentially long-lasting recession. Perhaps President Putin will elect to do what is right for Russia instead of worrying about his image globally. I pray for peace in Eastern Europe. Let wisdom prevail over weaponry.

I’m not proposing that we wait for Superman. As awesome as Superman is, he’s a fictional character. The conflicts I’ve mentioned, however, are all too real.

Folks, please pray for our President. Pray for all of our leaders: local, statewide, and nation. Pray for our great nation. Pray for your friends, for your family, for total strangers, and even for your enemies. I humbly ask that you pray for me. I will happily pray for you.

Let’s pray for peace – individually and collectively. God answers prayer. Amen.

Staff Writer; Arthur L. Jones, III

This talented brother is a local Minister, weekly featured Democratic Op-Ed columnist, non-profit advisor, and sees the Braves winning it all this fall. Rev. Jones welcomes your comments! Please email him directly at: tcdppress@gmail.com.

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Northern Magnolia says:
August 28, 2014 at 3:00 pm
While we pray for peace, it is important to understand what is written in the Scripture, in Isaiah 57:20 and 21: “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, for the wicked.”
I am here going to post something very unpopular. There is enough wickedness in my own heart to keep war going in my circles from now until the end of my life. That is also true in the heart of anybody and everybody reading this. We are all sinners; that is, we care nothing for the commands of God, and are utterly devoted to whatever we feel are our own interests. If serving other people aligns with our interests, then we do that — if not, we want to get other folks out of our way. Take folks just like us and give them greater access to weapons and financial and political resources, and you get what we have seen throughout history — conflict and war.
But, there is peace in my circles, most of the time. That is not because of who I innately am. That is because of the Gospel, that is, I have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day, thus allowing me to share in His righteousness. Christ is the Prince of Peace; His Holy Spirit now indwells me, empowering me to behave in a peaceful way, as He commands. Peace truly does have to come within first, but none of us have the power in ourselves; that comes only in Christ. So long as we live in a world that rejects Christ, there will not be peace, not on the small or the large scale. And Christians aren’t perfect either; sometimes we still walk in the wickedness we have been redeemed from, and seek our own ends instead of God’s. Leaving aside the whole set of Christians-in-name-only, even the true Christian is only more peaceful to the extent that he or she is controlled by the Holy Spirit and knows how to live as God commands based on the Bible, the Word of God.
So, when we say “pray for peace,” we need to think according to the real state of human affairs, here and abroad. The Bible clearly states in Romans 3:23; “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” And, all just keep on, serving their own interests at the expense of everyone else — so when we pray for peace, we have to do more than pray for people in their situations, but pray for them that they will accept the finished work of Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross and rose from the grave so that mankind could first have peace with God through the forgiveness of sins, and also so that He could enable mankind that believes on Him, through His Spirit, to live in peace and love with one another.
And then, as the Scripture says, we are to pray without ceasing — that is, when we get up off our knees, we live by the Spirit in accordance with our prayers, to do the will of God, those things that promote peace by adorning the spreading of the Gospel. So, God loved humanity so much that He sent His Son to die to save humanity from its sins — if that’s the message, we have to both give it AND live it in this world. How much sacrificial love are our communities experiencing right now from the Christians within them? That is where, in addition to the saying of prayers, that we can start.
Patricia says:
August 28, 2014 at 5:49 am
This is a wonderful and nice article. The fact is, people have been praying for decades and prayer is not the only answer. After you have prayed which is to change you, then get up and do something because Faith without works is dead. And all the talking and praying in the world will not accomplish anything until people get off the couch and DO what the Word Says. War and evil and injustice will continue. If the Church would use the power that was given to it as a Body there would be drastic historic change. But the even the Church is fighting among each other and many have put down the truth in exchange for other gods! Money, Power, Lust, Deception. So while the article is very nice, the TRUTH is there is and will be no power, no change until the change happens from within.
Heal Thyself and then qualify to heal others.
There is so much professed concerned with Isreal and these countries at war while the local neighborhood falls through the cracks on a continued daily basis.
Prophecy is taking place and no man can stop it. Meanwhile, back in the neighbor hood our own people need help! And those who have the power need to do more than hand out a check for another building! Give out cheap food in pantries, giving out used clothing! People need jobs, business, self employment, MENTORS, support and communication from those who have access, resources and ability.
Its pass time to get off the knees praying and do some productive.!
Pray the demons out of the neighborhood !