Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem
When Princess Diana was killed in a horrible car accident, the people filled the streets at the site of the crash and at Buckingham Palace with flowers, candles, teddy bears, and sympathy cards. We also see this at the sites of school shootings, massacres, and even car accidents. We humans have a tendency to make shrines and altars out of everything. Is it because the Political and Religious Institutions are inadequate in ministering to us in our time of overwhelming grief, so we make our own expressions? Could it be that Humans just have a natural tendency to worship, even that which we don't know?
The great Russian Author Dostoevsky, who was a religious man himself, created a character in one of his novels who also personifies this tendency of ours. This character, who was a 19th Century version of today's "Social Justice Warrior", was an avowed Nihilist, Anarchist, and Atheist, but he kept a candle burning in front of a holy icon, "just in case".
St. Paul noticed this when he arrived in Athens to preach the Gospel. All around him, Paul saw shrines and altars dedicated to the myriads of Greek Gods and Goddesses, and even one that was inscribed: "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD". It would seem that the Greeks did not want to leave anyone out, "just in case".
Paul was a learned man, and knew that one preaching style may appeal to one demographic, and another style to a different one. Athens was a center of Philosophy and Learning, and had a long tradition of debate and oratory. In his discussion with the Greeks, Paul quotes not only their Great Philosophers, but cites their own worship of that which they did not know, "just in case". From some, it brought sneers, but from others, a desire for more.
Paul shows us that we can adapt our "style" to reach people, but never adapt The Truth to please them. This is a mistake many churches make today. Although the music, the decor, the style of preaching may change, the Message must NEVER Change to suit the world.
Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.
"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance..” Psalm 33 NASB
God Bless America!
Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.
This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.
Hallelujah and Amen
ML/LTOS