Proclaiming and Praying

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified…My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:1, 2, 4, 5 NIV)

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyonefor kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)

These two texts bring us back to first priorities: preaching the cross and praying for kings. Both of these texts have to do with the salvation of men. God, in His wisdom, decided that proclaiming and praying was our partnership in the Gospel. It is easy to get side-tracked to things like constitutional amendments on abortion, a balanced budget and a Christian government. Paul did not have that luxury; neither does most of the world today. Let’s get our focus back on the real solution: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us change the nation by proclaiming and praying.

(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson)

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