"You've got to figure out what you believe and more importantly why you believe it."
- Trey Gowdy
A few weeks ago I ran across this speech given by Trey Gowdy to the students of Liberty University. I decided to listen to it while I was pouring my 1st cup of coffee that morning. Normally I "T-R-Y" to pray before I let the chaos of the day in, but I was overtaken by the urge to listen to my new favorite Hero, Trey Gowdy!!! I love his heart that pursues truth and fights for justice.
"You've got to figure out what you believe and more importantly why you
believe it. It's never enough in politics or of any other sphere of persuasion to simply tell people what you believe you must know why you believe it."- Trey Gowdy
I thought to myself, I know what I believe and I think I know why I believe it. But I felt like I need to pray and ask Jesus what His thoughts were towards my convicted heart. I said, Jesus, I believe in you, but WHY do I believe in you? The first thought that came to my mind was John 3:16. I kind of laughed and said, really Lord. That's too easy. Everyone knows John 3:16!! Come on this has to be my thoughts.. give me yours..I waited a few minutes and then decided to look it up and read it again. Before I read it I felt like the Lord said trust me I'm going to highlight something in this familiar verse that you've never paid attention to before. Here is what He said. It's a little long but when I was finished reading it I felt like the Lord showed me how to pray for myself and for the Untied States of America. I was blown away by His faithfulness to answer my question WHY..
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son. AND THIS IS WHY: So that no one need be destroyed:by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending His son merely to point and accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts is acquitted (Set Free); anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. AND WHY? Because of that persons failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. "This is the crisis we're in: God- light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil addicted to denial and illusion hates God-light and wont come near it fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God- Light so the work can be seen for the God- work it is." - John 3:16-21
I felt like the Lord was showing me the Why was so not one of us would be destroyed by the evil of this world and by simply believing we could have a whole and full and lasting life now and into eternity. He came to bring light to our darkened world. I thought how easy, we simply believe! The other part of this scripture that stood out to me was the description of those who practice evil.. those who are addicted to denial and illusion!
As I watch our current events unfold today I cant help but think about the leaders who are addicted to denial and illusion. They manipulate truth and reality because they fear the painful exposure that will come when God's light exposes the evil. I have taken on this prayer for myself, my family and for the United States of America. "My prayer is God, Let there be light. Shine your light upon the darkness. I personally repent for my denial of the truth and disillusionment of reality. I also am willing to stand in the gap and pray this for my Nation and the great leaders You are raising up to shine your light and bring your truth." Again, I'm reminded that we do not place our hope in a political party or a person but in God and God alone. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, He will show us the way. He will expose the truth.
I think this is a prayer we can all pray that will bring unity back to the United States of America. Let truth expose the lies and wake us up to see the reality of our current circumstances.
Let There Be Light-
