Today we pause to look at the fact that a Christ-filled citizen is someone who, if need be, is willing to suffer and even to die for their country… just as Smyrna did for God’s kingdom. Jesus pointed out that, “greater love than this has no man than he would lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13) GK Chesterton made us ponder when he questioned, “Was Rome great therefore loved or loved therefore great?” Either way… we love our country to greatness. This is also true as we see a father or mother love their family to greatness. We see it in how a Pastor loves his church to greatness. This is achieved with a love that sacrifices and even dies in order to forward the interest of others. Pray and act in bravery! Pray for your heart to have the courage to stand up for our freedoms. Pray and take an active part in building up your neighborhood. Be an honest worker and pray for all the workers in your company to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage. Pray for marriages to work through their tough times and not pursue divorce so readily. Pray that racism is rooted out everywhere we see it and that we excel at forgiveness and reconciliation. Lord open our eyes to empathize and care so that we understand what others have gone through. We pray that we will serve others, even to our own hurt. Visit us, Lord, with showers of mercy!
