Grove Baptist Church

Thought for the Month - August 2001

One to make you think - By Pastor Joe Wright

When Pastor Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate in the US, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities. But, what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling the United States to repentance and righteousness.

The response was immediate and a number of legislators walked out during the prayer. In six short weeks, the Central Christian Church (USA) had logged more than 5,000 phone calls, with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.

US commentator Paul Harvey aired the prayer on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other program he has ever aired. The Central Christian Church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.

Pastor Joe's prayer is reprinted here as an encouragement and challenge for each of us to stand for the truth of the Gospel whenever the Lord gives us the opportunity and wherever in the world we are.

The Prayer

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know your Word says, 'Woe on those who call evil good,' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that:

  • We ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word and called it pluralism
  • We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism
  • We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle
  • We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery
  • We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation
  • We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare
  • We have killed our unborn and called it choice
  • We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable
  • We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem
  • We have abused power and called it political savvy
  • We have coveted our neighbour’s possessions and called it ambition
  • We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression
  • We have ridiculed the time-honoured values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment

Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them the wisdom to rule, and may their decisions direct us to the centre of your will. I ask it in the name of your Son, the Living Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!