I am not one to watch the news. I just don’t like it. I don’t like trying to determine if they are giving me the news, or their opinion of the news. Everything seems colored one way or the other these days. It is hard to know what the facts really are. One thing I think we all can agree is a fact is that we are living in a different America than we ever have before. As is my practice, I am not going to take one side or another. I have my political beliefs and I am pretty passionate about them. But, as I write for you, my purpose is to serve God, not a political party or persuasion.

With that being said, I am becoming fairly concerned about our country. For many different reasons. I think we like to think of ourselves as “God’s Chosen Country.” This is simply not true. Israel and the Israelites were His chosen people, and I feel they are still His chosen people. Has God blessed our country? Indeed He has. In so many ways. We have always been the nation other countries looked to for help, and even wisdom in certain situations. We have always been the nation ready to reach out a hand to others. And, our nation was absolutely founded on freedom. Freedom to defend ourselves. Freedom to make a living. Freedom to worship as we please. Freedom to express ourselves. Freedom to vote for change. Freedom to live and work in communities of our choosing. Freedom to worship God. And freedom to choose to not worship God.

This freedom is great and it is why we continue to live in this country. Many feel our freedoms are being threatened these days. Maybe they are. As I said, we are living in a rapidly changing nation and world. Things are a bit tough these days. We have been studying the Old Testament in Sunday school for a while. You want to talk about a tough time in which to live! People were killed regularly. Entire families wiped out for the mistakes of one. Those were scary times.

The one constant in the Old Testament days and the days in which we are living is the One True God. The same God that was the God of David, Isaac, and Abraham is the same God watching over our nation today. Even when it seems He is absent, or looking the other way, God is watching over us. And knowing that He does love us and care about us should cause us to fall to our knees to pray for our nation each day. Maybe several times a day!

The famous scripture out of I Chronicles is certainly important today. “If My people which are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

While you are busy posting your political stance and all the supporting evidence on Social Media, take time to read and re-read that scripture and pray for our nation. Prayer will make the difference!

By: Gina Caswell Kelly