Lift hearts to God

This has been a tough week to gather thoughts.

Busy days – family, work, life in general.

And the open attacks on people of faith doing what God instructs them to do.

Pray.

There was another school shooting earlier this week.

Young students gathered for worship and prayer in a Catholic school.

Two dead, 17 injured.

Believers began to pray and publicly let the world know they were praying.

And they, too, were attacked.

Pray.

Politicians, pundits, haters all publicly voiced their anger and vindictive hearts against anyone who prayed for the children.

Bear with me in the quotes, they were vicious.

"These children were probably praying when they were shot to death at Catholic school. Don't give us your f------ thoughts and prayers.” This is what Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., posted on his social media.

A member of the anti-American truth crowd, Jeff Timmer of the Lincoln Project, attacked Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., for offering his prayers for those affected by the shooting.

Timmer’s direct attack was posted on social media: "The kids were praying when they died. How'd that work out, you obsequious coward? Now, f--- off."

“Prayer is not freaking enough. … Enough with the thoughts and prayers,” was the open attack on believers from now mainstream media host Jen Psaki, Joe Biden’s former spokesperson to the world.

There is never enough prayer.

Now, disciple, what are we as believers to do when attacked like this?

Keep praying.

James 5:16 (KJV) – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) – “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

There will always be forces that come against Christians, and in the world today these actions will be spread far and wide almost instantly through modern technology. We must cry out to God.

Psalm 18:6 (KJV) – “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”

Ephesians 6:18 (KJV) – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Reports have shown there has been a 700 percent increase in violence against Christians and Christian churches. Christians around the world are persecuted more than other religion.

How should we respond?

Now, let us pray, disciple.