In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.                       Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
Day and night they never stop saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.â€
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever.  They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.â€
Revelation 4:8-11 (NIV, my emphasis)
Most of us have some idea of what is happening in the world. At some point in a 24-48 hour period we pick up a newspaper or catch a local or national news broadcast. At the very least, we overhear our co-workers discussing elections, wars, gas prices, health insurance, education decline, and the economy. What is our true, down-in-our-gut response? Prayer. Good answer. Good Sunday School answer.
I am reading a book, Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse by Rev. Billy Graham. He wrote this book in 1983. Here again, Rev. Graham stays true to the mission to which he has been called – bring a message of hope in Jesus Christ to a world that may seem to be without hope. The book covers only the first six chapters of Revelation as Rev Graham makes it clear from the introduction that he was not inspired to bring ‘revelation’ to the book of Revelation. He reminds me that our Lord God Almighty is Creator. He is worthy of praise and honor NOW, at every moment of our lives. While the world seems to turn more and more toward self-destruction, God who created all is still on His throne and still holds this tiny planet in His hand. We are not alone. We are not without God’s resources of wisdom and strength in all situations. The ultimate power in the universe is not wielded by politicians, dictators, terrorists, or even teachers and preachers. Power lies in Faith and Mercy and Grace and Trust and all those ‘good’ things that Paul admonishes us all to think upon. (Philippians 4)
In chapter 5 of Revelation, John weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll, looking inside at its wonders. And then he sees…the Lamb. Not a regal, ferocious Lion. He sees the Lamb. John hears the song that explains that the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll because – wait for it! – He was SLAIN and His blood makes me (you!) a holy nation of His people, to serve Him. WOW!
Prayer is the answer to what we see in this world. It is powerful prayer. It is prayer that begins with thanksgiving because we already know the end of the Book! It is prayer that blesses God and lifts Him up as the only answer in this world. It is prayer that continues to build faith and trust.
As days pass and turn to months, as the US election comes, let us put our eyes on Jesus, the Creator, the Lamb, the Worthy One. May we cover our leaders, in the government and in the Church, with prayer. May we exercise our spiritual muscles and keep ourselves ‘in shape’ for the time ahead.
