Please Pray

Please Pray
Friday, June 20, 2025 by Dr. James W. Walraven

Categories: Contemporary issues / Hope in Christ / Spiritual warfare / The church / Thought for Today

Current events in the United States: consider the violent riots, the media and celebrity pundits, the non-caring, equivocating local and state politicians....

Consider the profanity-laced tirades of many of the rioters. As they spew forth their hatred, their voices sometimes don’t even sound human. We forget, or choose to ignore, the reality of demonic possession. Think about those in Seattle who threw “water” balloons at those participating at a Christian rally: balloons filled not with water, but with urine.

On yet another level, consider the war in the Middle East, Iranian threats, and terrorist groups.

Spiritual warfare is real. But here’s the thing, and it seems that few are talking about it: from violent protesters, to many politicians, to even some of the “American patriots,” to Islamic terrorists: barring repentance, all are heading for eternal Hell.

The god of this age has blinded them to eternal spiritual realities. They think they are engaged in just causes, at least most of them, but even the agitators and instigators who “know” what they are doing, are oblivious to the truth.

Intercession matters. Certainly, we need to be praying that God thwarts Satan’s design for our country (Satan has designs for each and every country), as well as for Iran, his use of terrorists, that God’s purposes would be accomplished.

But there is something even more important: to pray for the salvation of those caught up in Satan’s plans, those Satan uses to bring about his ends. From the rioters in the United States, to dishonest media, to politicians and those caught up in specific social narratives, to rogue nations and terrorists, even to the “patriots”: apart from Christ, all are heading to Hell.

What does Jesus command us? We are to pray for those who persecute us, those who mistreat and spitefully use us, those who hate us. If Jesus prays, as He is being crucified, that the Father would forgive them for what they are doing—they don’t even realize what they are doing—how can we do any less?

Admittedly, I’d much prefer that the United States not be overthrown, that Islamic terrorists would be thwarted, that Israel would thrive. And I do pray for those things. But what is more important: that or people coming to faith in Christ and spending eternity with Him? From an eternal standpoint, what matters most is the number of people who trust Christ, not if a particular nation rises or falls.

We are only here on earth for a few short years. Compare that to eternity, where we will either be in Heaven with Christ, or separated from Him, in Hell. As believers in Christ, do we really want to wish Hell on anyone, or to say that person so and so deserves Hell? We too easily forget that had Christ not saved us, we would be going there ourselves.

Please, please, please intercede for those participating in the riots, those who have bought various social narratives, Islamic terrorists, for the leadership of Iran and Israel (and even the U.S.) to come to faith in Christ, that God would open their eyes to the truth. Think of the multitudes heading for Hell. That is heartbreaking. Please intercede.

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