ESTHER’S WARRIORS MINISTRY
To gain an hour of sleep on a weekend as daylight savings time begins is refreshing. However for many in our country they are facing unimaginable circumstances. We watched in disbelief as states were ravaged by Sandy just one week ago. At one count eight million were without power in seventeen states. Countless are still without power. Entire towns have been demolished, lives lost and homes destroyed. Temperatures are beginning to drop and a nor’easter is forecast for the coming week. Please pray for all affected by the storm for safe shelter, food, clean water, timely help. If you can donate time, money, clothing please do so to help our fellow Americans in their time of need.
As we begin the final days before our Presidential election unemployment, a tepid economy, unanswered questions from this administration about the killing of our people in Benghazi, concerns over the future of healthcare and senior care are some of the issues facing our country. The outcome of this election and the handling of these issues will directly affect each and every one of us.
To Unify or Divide
As the candidates push through the last days of campaigning there are two statements that I find very defining. Mitt Romney said, “Vote for love of country.” If love resides in the heart it will come forth to bring unity. President Obama said, “Voting is the best revenge.” If revenge resides in the heart so also lies a divisive spirit. I could not help but think of Jesus’s words: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart….” (Matthew 15:18) Jesus makes it clear that what we speak comes from the atmosphere we allow within our heart. We know in Esther’s that it is always a heart issue.
| Romans 12:19 clearly tells us, “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” (NIV 2007 Throughout our Bible we know that revenge is the Lord’s not ours on this earth. There are cultures that laud revenge in the name of their god. America is not now nor has she ever has been one of those cultures. Pray God we will never become a Nation resting on revenge against anyone not in line with our beliefs. This is dangerous and incendiary rhetoric that speaks to a mindset and heart condition of vengeance and division. What we need more than ever is unity in this season. The time is now. |
The position of President is one of great honor to represent and lead us. It is a position which requires personal character and integrity. Duty to and honor of country should be paramount. We have seen appeasement of United States enemies, failure to support Israel, failure to work across party lines, much reframing of things said or done. We have seen our Nation divided economically, racially, politically and spiritually. We have been set one against another without concern or focus on our Nation as a whole.
Truth is Vital
This week, fifty three members of Congress have signed a letter to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asking for answers on the Benghazi massacre of our people. I heard Congressman Mike Kelly (R) say in an interview this morning, “…there seems to be a complicitness between the Secretary of State…our President…and an administration that seems complicit in a cover-up in one of the most egregious and shameful events in the history of this country.” He questioned why this administration has not just told the American people the truth. The Congressman went on to quote the words of Jesus in John 8:32, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Make no mistake, what happened in Benghazi will reverberate around the world and right back to our country. The families of the slain men deserve the truth and we as Americans deserve the truth. Covering the truth speaks to a heart condition at its root.
Get Out and Vote!
We are all unique individuals but we come together as citizens to form the United States of America. Your vote is critical on Tuesday. Countless Christians stayed home in the last election. Do not stay home Tuesday. Not casting your vote can mean a vote for the candidate you may not want. Voting is a right and a privilege that many in our history died to gain for us. Do your homework and really look at the candidates and what they stand for. This election is for the very soul of America. Look at the issues and vote in accordance with biblical principles.
The Bible Ballot
Issue Yes No
God * X
Stand with Israel* X
One man/one woman
marriage X
Abortion X
Divisiveness X X
Christian Freedom X
Government Transparency/truth X
Honest work for honest pay X
Revenge X
Love X
(*Remember, the Democratic National Convention initially left both of
these out of their platform.)
The President is to hold our safety and our belief of what is right to the highest standard. Join me to pray that God will raise up His standard in this land. At this juncture we are still the land of the free. Cast your vote Tuesday to ensure that we will arise in this season as one Nation under God with liberty and justice for all!
‘Pray the States’
Join us this week as we ‘pray the states’ toward the 2012 Presidential election. We are praying for each state in the order of admission to the Union. Please cover Idaho admitted to the Union July 3, 1890, in prayer. Pray for wisdom and discernment for the political leaders, pastors and
church leaders, the people residing in Idaho and for all in our Nation. Each state is important in forming our United States of America. We commit to pray for a different state each week so we not only provide prayer cover but also to make us aware that our country is bigger than the space we personally occupy in it. These are our United States. Let us pray that we will arise united ‘for such a time as this!’ Please repost and share.
“The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is critical. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last. I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God.” Billy Graham
A Prayer Request and Personal Blessing
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country on foreign soil, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our frontline on the battlefield, let us be their frontline in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May God richly bless the United States of America and keep her safe.
May God richly bless you. May we each walk into the polling station on Tuesday with Godly wisdom and discernment. May the Lord direct and guide this election with His favor and blessing on this United States of America. May we may arise united in this auspicious season in our country’s history.