Center of the Universe

This morning I heard a man credit Lou Engle and Mike Bickle with the following quote...

"THE PRAYER ROOM IS THE GOVERNMENTAL CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE."

What a potent statement. The 'weakness' of prayer connected to the profound power and influence of government. This honors God. Prayer is meaningless if it does not in reality link us with Almighty God. It is not some self-meditation practice. It is faith in God exercised at its most basic, immediate, and personal level. It demonstrates that when we actually rely on God in prayer we are tapping into the greatest, most powerful Being in the universe. We, who are otherwise weak and unable, become friends and partners with the Most High God. When two or three are gathered in His name, this radically increases in effect. The prayer room is transformed into the throne room of the King of kings -- "the governmental center of the universe!"

Now THAT is political salt.

A Christian Nation

William Wilberforce changed the world for the better. He didn't do it alone, but along with a small group of friends who persevered over decades in an antagonistic culture. They accomplished a massive cultural shift uprooting and eventually outlawing the entrenched institution of slavery, and bringing about many other societal moral changes -- all by the inspiration of their deep, personal Christian faith. Wilberforce did this while serving in English Parliament from the 1780s to 1825. He did it through consistent persuasion based on God's truth. He changed the way people thought. The following is a quote from his writings in 1797:

"The interactions of members of the society are also enhanced when each seeks to live at peace with one another and recognizes the value of all human beings as members of the same family. Any country that was filled with men and women who thought and acted this way would be characterized by a state of harmony seldom, if ever, seen in human history. The discord and petty jealousies that create conflict in most societies would cease to exist, and the culture would run as smoothly as the harmony of the planets in their orbits.

"This is what a truly Christian nation would look like. It also would experience a beneficial relationship with other countries with which it interacted. A nation peaceful and happy at home would be respected and loved abroad. The integrity of a truly Christian nation would inspire confidence in its interactions with other nations. Most international disputes find their roots in distrust and jealousy. These often lead to more obvious forms of injury. Such things would be minimized by the policies of a Christian nation. And if such a nation were unjustly attacked, the spirit that pervades the nation would provide a powerful dynamic to bring out the greatest resistance to such hostility. Add to all this the role of divine intervention might play on behalf of a nation that sought to serve and honor God in all it does."

- Real Christianity by William Wilberforce
Revised and Updated by Dr. Bob Beltz, p. 150-151

Filling the Void

This is a brief report that did not make the conventional media news...

(State Capitol, Phoenix, AZ) There are many empty places waiting to be filled. Some will remain empty. Others will be filled by either good or bad things, or some mixture of the two. At a recent gathering at the Arizona State Capitol I saw some usually empty rooms filled by good, heartfelt, fervent worship and prayers to God. From 11:00am - 1:00pm on Tuesday, August 28, we participated in what I believe is an historic event. Ninety-five pastors and ministry leaders from all over Arizona (including Flagstaff, Kingman, Safford, Sierra Vista, Tucson and from throughout the Valley) assembled together to acknowledge God and intercede for our state on the 3rd floor of our original State Capitol where our first Arizona government legislators convened more than 90 years ago. I do not believe that there has ever been a gathering in Arizona history of so many Christian leaders for resounding worship and prayer in the very chambers where our state was born. It is also notable that several pastors read and prayed excerpts of the original chaplain's recorded prayers of the Arizona Constitutional Convention of 1910. We connected with the historical foundations of our state, and I believe, made history in the process. God hears our prayers. God answers the prayers He Himself inspires. His Word will not return void. The void is being filled with the promise of God.

On the Eve of 9-11

On the eve of 9-11... I remember back six years ago at the shocking news and first images of the attacks on the World Trade Center. My family was packing that morning to leave the next day to travel from Phoenix to Dulles Airport near Washington, DC. Our long-awaited vacation plans to visit beloved relatives would be altered for two weeks. Our understanding - and the intensity - of world affairs was altered forever. Even with the incredible impact of the events of September 11, 2001, I did not immediately jump on the bandwagon of all those who said that everything had now changed. Obviously, I was slow to see what has become absolutely apparent. "9-11" is indelibly etched in virtually every citizen of the world's mind and vocabulary. There has been a seismic shift in the attention to the clashing of world views, with a new world war against terrorism formally launched. There is a continual pressure for political understanding of Islam and its many sects, as well as the need for clarity in our own response. The media and political groups continually work to define our condition as a nation, not by traditionally acceptable standards, but by their own created standards to serve their own purposes. There is an unprecedented lack of thankfulness expressed in the public square. There is far too much complaining and blaming, because it serves to fuel political discontent, agendas, and media headlines.

I am so very thankful for God's mercy and blessing upon us. I can't help but see God's provision and protection for our nation everywhere. I have no idea how long this will continue, but I am thankful for what we have. I also am very thankful for the signs I see in so many personal lives of God's grace. He is extending His mercy. I pray we all receive His love and acknowledge Him, for in God we must trust as we remember this solemn anniversary.

Our Responsibility

Following is a statement printed on the glass of the 4th floor entrance door to the gallery overlooking the historic "Constitution Hall" of the original Arizona state Capital building. No author is credited.

"People get the government they deserve. Good, moral people, concerned about others, get a good moral government that cares about the people. People that are greedy, lazy or apathetic, get a government that is greedy, immoral and unconcerned with the public's welfare. In a democracy, each of us is responsible for the quality of our government."