I Walk with The King

To Heavenly Land; the Kingdom of Right–the Pathway of Light…

Tag Archives: prayer


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A Nation of Cowards

I learned something important about America today: we are a nation of cowards. I caught bits of news today as we all learned that the older brother of the Boston Marathon bombers died in a shootout with police, while his younger brother continued to evade arrest. The officials in Boston and the surrounding municipalities put a major U.S. city of approximately 2 million people on a lockdown because of one killer on the loose. One.

A scared 19-year-old kid who felt the entire weight of the United States law enforecement agencies bearing down on him hid in a boat. And 2 million Americans hid in their homes. Our fear-filled response to even small-scale attack (yes–this attack was small-scale) is that we allow other terrorists to witness validation that all they have to do is kill a half dozen of us, injure a few hundred, and the rest hunker and hide. With such a predictable effect, it’s no wonder that enemies of the American people persist in these same tactics, even when fighting overseas.

In difficult times, I tend to seek the words of Jesus Christ for guidence and answers to tough questions. How would Jesus have us respond to acts of terrorism?

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28 NKJV

See it now? Our response to acts of terrorism is totally opposite of what Jesus commands. There are two commands for us here. First, Jesus commands us not to fear anyone who has the ability to kill our bodies, but have no power over our eternal being. Second, Jesus commands us to fear God; who, if He wishes, can kill the body, but can also condemn us to total, eternal destruction in Hell.

In America, we cower before those evil people who use violence against our lives and the threat of such violence to control and manipulate us. And it works. Every time. At the same time, we pro-actively demonstrate our hatred for God, and deny His power over our very lives and souls. He hate His Word, we hate His ways, we hate His followers.

In the coming days, our citizens and elected officials will join in a debate over the balance between personal freedom and public safety; between government control and national security. I pray that in making decisions about America’s response to future threats, that our leaders will stand tall before our enemies and bow low before God. Until then, I will be no coward. What will you decide?


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Lord, Make Me a Fisherman

Last Sunday, brother Chase Palmer taught an excellent sermon titled, “Go Fish.” He challenged our congregation to get busy sharing the message of Jesus Christ with people within our spheres of influence. As he spoke, some of these words began to form in my mind. I hope you can use them as a fun, rhyming reminder to look for opportunities for Christ.

Lord, Make Me a Fisherman

Lord, make me a fisherman every day,
As through the waters I make my way.
With the line of Your love and the hook of Your grace,
With the lure of the hope to see Your face.

Lord, give me a pole to cast it all in,
To reach out to souls who flounder in sin.
Place many people within my reach,
From shining horizon to foamy beach.

Draw them in! Set them free!
Make them clean, just like Thee.

So often I’ve failed to launch out to bay,
While watching the ocean fade evening-gray.
And lest more opportunities swim away,
Lord make me a fisherman every day.


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Suit Up, Roll Out

Several months ago my brother in Christ, Frankie Masters, presented a great sermon about the Armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-17. Many of us have heard explanations of all these pieces, and some principles for how they might work in our lives. We also learn about how we should have this armor in our life, and the benefits of using it. However, all my weaponry is totally worthless if I fail to don it before battle. How foolish of me to charge into the ranks of hostile soldiers, naked and empty-handed! What Frankie said that is often missing from such lessons is the practical application of Paul’s teaching here. He advised me to make actual use of the Armor of God every day by mentally and spiritually gearing up before I leave my home. Your routine may vary, but mine goes something like this, and it’s in the form of a prayer:

Father God, as I begin my day, please help me to put on the whole Armor of God that You provide Your children. Please help me put on the Breastplate of Righteousness to protect my heart where the Enemy wants to strike me. Please help me put on the Helmet of Salvation, to protect my mind from false thoughts and the Devil’s deceits. Help it to guard my eyes from things they shouldn’t see and help it protect those I meet from the words of my own mouth (Note: my set of armor needs the optional full-face mask! Ask for that feature if you need it, too). Lord please help me to place upon my feet the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, so that I can bear the saving message of Jesus Christ to all who need it. Father, please bind up this armor with the Belt of Truth, so that I can base all my actions on what is real. Please give my left hand the Shield of Faith, to stop any lie the Enemy hurls at me and place in my right hand the Sword of the Holy Spirit, Your Word, that being so armed I may go out and do battle for the purposes of Your eternal Kingdom. Please help me endure difficulty as a good soldier of Christ, and my I bring glory to your mighty name. I ask this in the name of Jesus your Son and my Captain. Amen.

Let me tell you something–this works. You are really gearing up in the spiritual realm. Just imagine how you must appear to Satan and his hosts! Visualize it. This is also a focus tool to remind you that, prepared or not, you are walking onto the field of battle. Your enemy never forgets it, takes a day off or gives an inch. When I enter battle naked and weaponless, I lose. When I purposefully join battle thus protected and armed, I win. As Frankie urged me, I also urge you… Suit up before you roll out.