Praying When the Earth Gives Way!

This is Amy Thomas from the masculine journey podcast where we discover what it means to be a wholehearted man your chosen Truth Network podcast of starting in just seconds. Enjoy it, share it, but most of all, thank you for listening and for choosing The Truth Podcast Network. This is the Truth Network and encouraging prayer, God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything, and encouraging prayer Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling and many other books on prayer provides weekly biblical insight help you learn to love and now James went on urging me a story about being in a treehouse actually Disneyland which is a different place than most people realize.

Most people think Disney world champion Florida but you moved to California during an earthquake, you know.

Talk about a ride. I will use old rugged. We were up in the Swiss family Robinson treehouse here in Anaheim, Disneyland large earthquake rolls through. I didn't even know we were in danger things start to move, but I thought it was pretty cool I thought was part of the ride. When we heard the news and got home, we found all kinds of things that come crashing down in looking back it was like either a five or six on the Richter scale. It was a pretty significant event sounds like it'd want to talk about a similar dynamic today right how to pray what it feels like the earth is shaking that's not about the earthquake so much as it is about other things. So let's go there. All right. Well, yesterday I heard a survey that approximately 68% of folks are reporting anxiety about the current election so you know you have a good number of those who are feeling like if the candidate loses the earth could give way, so to speak, and that's where like to go today. So let me start by saying that there are some very valid concerns that people have with everything that's going on right now so I don't want to discount that at all. But what I want to do is ask this question, what are we really putting our hope in that's great question because during an election year. We can be so focused on the people and personalities and policies, but underneath it is the human heart right that needs to be changed. Most of all, that's so true Robbie you what this world needs more than anything else. The life-changing power of Jesus love in the hope and new identity. Did he give because were caught up in that hope. We know that no matter what happens, all will be well for us and there's a great reminder of this in Psalm 46 it says God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, so no matter what happens it says even if things don't work out the way we would like them to. We can be reminded that everything depends on God and we can be safe in him and we really can Peter tells us to cast our cares on him because he cares for us and I think that really helps whenever I start to worry. So here's the thing. Sometimes we can get so caught up in this world, we can forget that we belong to Jesus that were citizens of heaven. First of all just nice words were pie-in-the-sky by-and-by. That's the most practical reality. Maybe you've heard this this famous quote from CS Lewis. If you read history will find that the Christians who did the most for the present world precisely those who thought most of the next is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they become so ineffective in this payment heaven and you get to hear from you name it. Earth and you get neither. And I quote, and this is where really, prayer is critical.

It matter so much done absolutely because we want to change this world with God's strength, not with our own and the only way for that to happen is to live so dependently with him in prayer and then we will see what only he can do. Really, no matter what way election works out.

That isn't what defines us or gives us hope right in an election isn't how we change the world it so easy for us to get so full of ourselves and that can be so subtle. For example, it's so easy for us to talk about theoretical concepts like injustice. For example, God's love is at work in our hearts were going to truly care about others and treat them differently in practical ways, which is the best way to write injustice in its prayer and staying anchored to God's word that keeps us closer to him than anything else and that's how we let his spirit and moment by moment each day and this doesn't mean that we don't get involved with making a difference in the world, or even with politics. It just means that we keep our priorities straight. I mean, we want our politicians to know Jesus and walk with him. Think of the difference that can make in our world, which is why we really need to pray for them because our prayers have influence that really we could never match right and of course Scripture talks about that how we can and should pray for them and pray about whatever matters were concerned about the political realm, especially things like the sanctity of life and care for those who are destitute and genuinely need of help. Jeremiah 29 is an interesting passage where God tells the Jewish community with her taken into exile, but they should pray for the well-being of their new land and it's interesting that was Babylon, but think about that.

We should also pray for the well-being of others and in take these worries and in turn them into prayer. And remember, God knows the way into a heart and life.

Unlike anyone else even the politicians so he can use those who are even set against him to accomplish his purposes. You see that in Scripture again and again.

Just yesterday I read in Job 1216 that strength and wisdom belong to God, and deceived and deceivers are both in his power.

So God knows the way into human heart that you and I could never persuade in our own strength when we really go there bye-bye praying we can see surprising things happen. Now the main thing is that we keep our eyes on him. I love what Isaiah prays you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. I say that exterior yeah yeah here's our place of peace are our comfort. The one who is truly able to make a difference if we know we are safe in his hands for all eternity.

Even though the earthquakes around us for a moment will find new strength so folks are Jesus absolutely vote early and vote often pray start the day by running to him and keep. Throughout the day, and you'll find the hope that only he can give such a newsletter we vote for Jesus.

What you wrap this up with Bricker just let's go to get pottery do just thinking that we can turn to you that you are the one who defines our lives that that you are coming again in one day.

All of this stuff will be behind us.

But Lord, we ask your mercy, your will be done in the upcoming election. Your health father for those who are in authority over us, that they may serve you and others last Jesus and hear more from Pastor James by visiting the website James Banks.org or by visiting these church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray. This is the Truth Network