Our Present Crisis
in the U.S.
Part 2
Events over the past two weeks have shaken our nation and provoked outrage, unrest, and anxiety. We as followers of Jesus, as His church, need to pray and seek understanding about what God would want us to think and do. My own opinion in these matters is shaped by academic studies in the area of the Bible and the American slavery controversy. Thank God that slavery was abolished! The sin of racism, however, underlying the institution of slavery was not abolished. It evolved into the racial segregation practiced in the Southern United States and elsewhere after slavery’s abolition. Thank God for the Civil Rights Act of 1964! It ended segregation. The present crisis of our country is forcing us again to consider the presence of racism in our nation. It deserves our prayer and attention.
How should I pray?
- Pray for PEACE, because “the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
- Pray for PERSPECTIVE, because “the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).
- Pray for PATIENCE, because of God’s “kindness and forbearance and patience” toward us all (Romans 2:4).
- Pray for an OUTPOURING of His wisdom and direction for our leaders and officials who are dealing with this crisis. Ask God to change hearts and heal this divide in our nation. [ 1 ]
What else should I do?
Be willing to listen to others.
In all of our conversations, let’s listen. This may involve listening to different opinions with which you disagree!
He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame. Proverbs 18:13
Be willing to learn from others.
Besides media influences we might label as “liberal” or “conservative”, sample other sources, especially longer articles written by people who are actually affected by what is happening.
For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food. Job 34:3
Be willing to love others.
Be alert for opportunities to show love and understanding to people who have been affected by this crisis, and be willing to support any changes in our society that you believe honor Jesus Christ.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:9-10
God is at work in what is happening right now in our country, and there are and will be many opportunities to share and show His love in Jesus. Be prayerful, be willing, and be ready.
-Pastor Jack Davidson
[1] The outline for prayer is adapted from an article by Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse
當前危機
第二部分
過去兩週發生的事件動搖了我們的國家，並激起了憤怒、動盪和焦慮。我們作為耶穌的門徒，作為祂的教會，需要禱告並尋求神希望我們思考和做的事情。在聖經和美國奴隸制爭議方面的學術研究影響了我對這些問題的看法。感謝神！奴隸制被廢除了。然而，奴隸制基礎上的種族主義的罪並沒有消失。奴隸制廢除後，演變成美國南部和其他地區的種族隔離。感謝神，在1964年頒布的《民權法案》結束了種族隔離。我國目前的危機正迫使我們再次考慮種族主義在我國的存在。它值得我們的祈禱和關注。
我該如何禱告？
- 為和平禱告，因為“因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。”（雅各書1:20）
- 為觀點禱告，因為“惟獨從上頭來的智慧，先是清潔，後是和平，溫良柔順，滿有憐憫，多結善果，沒有偏見，沒有假冒。”（雅各書3:17）
- 為耐心禱告，因為神的“恩慈、宽容、忍耐”（羅馬書2:4）是向我們眾人所施的。
- 為我們的領導人和官員有從神而來的智慧和方向禱告。求神改變人心，治愈我們國家的分歧。 [1]
我還應該做什麼？
願意傾聽他人。
在我們所有的對話中，讓我們傾聽。這可能涉及到聽取您不同意的意見！
“未曾听完先回答的，便是他的愚昧和羞辱。” (箴言18:13)
願意向他人學習。
除了媒體的影響外，我們還可以將其標記為“自由派”或“保守派”，也可以參考其他來源的樣本，尤其是那些受到實際情況影響的人們撰寫的較長文章。
“因為耳朵試驗話語， 好像上膛嘗食物。” （約伯記34:3）
願意去愛別人。
注意尋找機會，向受此危機影響的人表達愛心和理解，並願意支持任何你相信尊重耶穌基督的社會變革。
“要愛人如己”（馬可福音13:31）
“10愛是不加害與人的，所以愛就完全了律法。”
（羅馬書13:10）
神正在我們的國中動工，我們有/將有許多機會在耶穌里分享和彰顯他的愛。要禱告，要願意，要準備好。
戴惟信牧師
[1] 禱告大綱改編自富蘭克林·格雷厄姆的一篇文章@撒瑪利亞人的錢袋