It’s NOT the “Economy Stupid”, It’s The Morality!
John R. Petrilli
Political party war rooms have historically been the birthplace for some of the most clever, catchy and influential campaign slogans ever to hit the American populace. Some slogans have become so effective that they survive and are revived in subsequent campaigns years down the road. For almost a decade Americans have been barraged with the well-worn Clinton years campaign slogan, “It’s the Economy Stupid”. The mantra worked like magic in ushering the Clintons into two consecutive terms in the White House.
It’s high time we took a critical look at the contents of this slogan. Is it really the economy that we should ultimately be concerned about, or is national failing financial health and America’s rapidly increasing loss of global market influence due to something far deeper, unrecognized and unreported? Is the economy some kind of self-generating entity that has a mind of its own, or could there be dynamics operating on a far different level that are driving conditions that have placed our nation in a dangerous position of teetering on the brink of financial collapse? Oh yes, you can point to deceptive mortgage practices, banking industry collusions, and over the top credit abuse by citizens, but could these merely be symptoms of a far greater underlying problem?
I submit to you, the reader, that there is definitely a far deeper dynamic driving this debacle. And it has absolutely NOTHING to do with economics and everything to do with morality. As a presupposition I would point out that every prosperous nation in both modern and ancient history went through a cycle that began with a strong moral base that eventually eroded into a self-serving, decadent, immoral mentality that invaded then destroyed that civilization. Rome is one case in point as a prime example of how a nation can climb to the very zenith of economic wealth, cultural sophistication and total world power, only to come crashing down from internal moral and social decay. This pattern is readily visible with world power after world power down through the annals of human history.
Consider this for a moment. What is it that causes a nation to prosper? Is it simply raw human business acumen and sheer aggressive willpower, as the American experience has demonstrated? Is it the possession of natural resources, like Japan importing theirs from other countries? Is it the installation of a governmental infrastructure that allows for capitalism to thrive, as in Vietnam or China?
The Bible teaches that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). In other words, when an individual or society gets obsessed with money and the things it can buy, all kinds of moral corruption are set in motion. Ethics fall by the wayside as a nation’s citizens chase after the false god of material wealth and acquisition. Jesus Himself has categorically stated that once you get on the fast track of greed, you can no, longer straddle the fence and stay on the track of moral behavior. It’s a given, gobs of money can corrupt the best of us, and it’s the extremely rare individual who can handle the powers and pleasures that money and the mad dash after it deliver.
This being said, I challenge you, the reader, to hold our economic debacle up against the grid of greed, both corporate and personal. ENRON? Nothing more than corporate greed at the CEO level that covertly, coldly and systematically drained the retirement packages of thousands of its employees. The recent mortgage crisis? Greedy Wall street investors capitalizing on a scheme that they knew perfectly well would devastate millions of American home owners, but they did it anyway. Why? What on earth would drive them to stab their own society in the back like this? Greed, pure and simple! The virus then spread to America’s financial nerve center, our banking industries, which, with accountant-like prophetic foresight, saw the proverbial handwriting on the wall and opted for bankruptcy rather than crash and burn.
When God told the Israelites He would bless their morality and curse their immorality He wasn’t kidding. When they obeyed His moral laws, they enjoyed unparalleled social tranquility (peace) and economic prosperity the likes of which have not since been duplicated. Under King David’s rule, Israel enjoyed a golden era and rose to a place of world power and prominence that remains legendary. But look at what happened to the nation when she got complacent and materialistic. They became socially unjust, insensitive and unresponsive to the poor, morally deviant, politically corrupted, and spiritually incapacitated.
The handwriting’s on the wall for America folks. We’ve lived on borrowed time long enough. We can no longer cite the economy as the outstanding ailment and all powerful ‘god’ that will deliver us. It’s not going to happen. I sincerely believe that we are at a crossroads as a nation. It’s now or never. Either we really get serious with God, or we descend into moral demise and historical oblivion. I believe God is speaking loud and clear to us as a nation, “Time’s up, you haven’t repented of your immorality, your greed, your materialism, your abortive murder, or your idolatry. Repent, or I’ll bring disaster upon you!” God warned the southern Jewish kingdom of Judah that he was “fashioning a disaster against them” if they didn’t respond to His clarion call for national and individual repentance (Jeremiah 18:7-12). Imagine that! Would God destroy His own people for their rank, open and longstanding disobedience? He not only WOULD, He DID! Two thousand years of deportment and global scattering was their punishment. And our generation has lived to see them finally regathered and returned to their original homeland where their crimes against God had taken place!
One way God has judged and continues to judge nations is to remove their economic base. The Lord warned the people of Israel that foreign nations would come in and dispossess them of their land. In ancient times a nation’s land and property was equivalent to our modern-day stock market. Today a nation’s net worth is determined by its global stocks and investments. Just look at where we are as a nation! We owe billions to China, foreign investors are controlling our banking assets, and a number of our stadiums and professional sports teams are owned and operated by non-American interests! We’re rapidly losing our place as the world’s economic leader and our financial health is withering away right before our very eyes! We’re surrendering our financial folders and economic future to foreign powers! In that process we’re rapidly losing our “land”, our possessions, and even our once cherished identity as the most influential nation in the world!
So if it’s really not “the economy stupid” and really is “the morality stupid”, what should we do? We should do what other wise nations facing divine judgment have done in the past. Like the wicked and thoroughly pagan ancient city of Nineveh, who lost all moral sensibility (“they didn’t know their left hand from their right”) we must have national repentance, plain and simple. Stop looking to government or leaders to save us from the God-ordained loss of our economy and national integrity that is His discipline for our moral defection. One big thing we can do is to stop murdering our unborn children. Did you know what the one outstanding reason God judged both pagan as well as godly nations was? Infanticide! If that’s one of our underlying core sins (which it most definitely is), we’re in a heap of trouble! The church and society in general has remained virtually silent and tight-lipped as we’ve systematically exterminated 48 million little ones with governmental approval! If we think for one moment that God hasn’t heard the silent screams of those aborted babies’ blood crying out from the earth, we’re sadly mistaken! He’s heard every one of them! And He has never and will never allow the shedding of innocent blood go unpunished!
I, for one, believe unequivocally that it’s NOT the Economy stupid! It’s, without a shadow of a doubt, the Morality stupid. The sooner we get it, the better off we’ll be. And time is quickly running out!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
You Can Make An Election Year Difference!
You Can Make An Election Year Difference!
John R. Petrilli
One vote .. that’s all that separated the winner from the loser in many historic elections. What might be the power of just one prayer? How about millions of prayers? Did you know that you have a Biblical basis for influencing the role of government in your life?
The apostle Paul writes to his younger protégé Timothy these words:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
We derive four principles from this passage that bear directly on our prayers for those who lead us.
FIRST, PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS IS TO BE REGARDED AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS AS WELL LOCAL CHURCHES.
“Paul states, “I urge FIRST OF ALL, that prayers … be made for all men.”
The media keeps chanting the mantra that the economy is the top priority in this year’s election. But God’s Word says that, when it comes to politics, His people are to make prayer their top priority. Why would God say this? Simply because, when a nation is under ethical, good, and godly leadership, it prospers. Make no mistake about it, God’s speaking here through the Spirit-inspired Scriptures, and He’s stressing the absolute necessity and strategic importance of targeting government leaders in our prayers. In spite of all; the special interest groups, lobbyists, and influence peddling that goes on, Christians directly influence public policy by simply praying for their leaders to make good decisions. When principled leaders are in office, public policy will reflect a morality of righteousness that will prosper its constituents and exalt the nation. As we pray ethical men and women into office, we set the table for God to use them to form legislation and policies that will honor Him and bless the land, which translates into economic prosperity, by the way.
Recall the twin sister ancient nations of Israel and Judah. God blessed them incredibly when good kings reigned, but they fell into gross idolatry and bondage under godless rulers. Remember how God jockeyed godly Queen Esther into a position of huge influence that ultimately saved the Jewish people from permanent extinction. She was instrumental in exposing Haman’s anti-Semitic plot to commit genocide by wiping out every Jew in the vast land of ancient Persia. God orchestrated circumstances to place Esther into her royal position for just such a critical as that. It doesn’t take a rocket scientists to figure out that America is at a moral, spiritual, and cultural crossroads. As never before, as the Body of Christ we all need to be on our knees praying for God’s intervention and healing of our country. This is surely no time to take a position of “non-involvement”. Hear the almost prophetic words of what the legendary 19th century evangelist Charles Grandison Finney had to say about Christians and politics:
“The Church must take right ground in regards to politics. The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them. Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to God. God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”
Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not the “economy stupid”, it’s the “morality stupid”! We need to be honest and ask ourselves, “What priority does praying for our leaders have in my life?” Are we praying specifically for them by name each day? If so, great. If not, it’s high time we immediately started and then never stop this God-ordained Christian duty.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS SHOULD BE COMPREHENSIVE AND NON-PARTISAN.
“Pray for ALL men … pray for ALL who are in positions of authority”.
Funny, one might expect Paul to request and urge prayer for only the godly leaders, but, no, he says God wants us to pray for every leader, regardless of their track record. Why? Because God holds their hearts and minds in His hand, and He wants to use them to accomplish His will. Also, every leader needs wisdom far beyond what he or she innately possess, God knows their desperate need, and wants us to pray that they are open to His wisdom as they approach and solve the problems of their society. Interesting that Paul wrote this while a very unpleasant Emperor named Nero was in power, busily burning and killing believers left and right for the pure sport of it! Peter explains that we’re to honor those God has placed in authority over us, and one great way to honor them is to regularly support them in prayer (1 Pet.2:13-17).
As we pray for our upcoming election, we need to pray for everyone involved. Who knows that God may want someone other than who we think in order to accomplish His sometimes mysterious plan? We need to vote in a manner commensurate with our Christian consciences, but we need to pray with an openness to God’s plan as well.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS SHOULD BE BATHED IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF GRATITUDE TO GOD AND IMBUED WITH A GENUINE SENSE OF URGENCY.
Paul spices up the prayer request with two powerful descriptive phrases, “giving of thanks” and “intercessions”. How often do we really thank God for the incredible liberties we already enjoy? Thanksgiving sets the proper tone for the kind of urgent interceding we need to be making as we get down on our knees on behalf of our leaders. If first century Christians could thank God for monsters like Nero, how can we fail to express our appreciation for the long and distinguished train of American leaders who have contributed so much and often at so great a personal cost? And God forbid that we pray tepid, lukewarm, half-hearted prayers. Paul knew of no such intercession, he’s all about storming the gates of heaven with heart-breaking, mind-blowing, soul-shattering requests on behalf of all men who need God’s salvation and wisdom.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS CAN PROMOTE SOUND PUBLIC POLICY.
“Give the king Your judgments, O God.” (Psa. 72:1)
When asked how one might pray for them, many Presidents have asked prayer that they might have wisdom. The Psalmist prayed, “Give the king Your judgments, O God. (Psa. 72:1)” King Solomon demonstrated unusual wisdom as he adjudicated a seemingly irresolvable case involving a dispute over parental rights between two supposed mothers of the same baby. I have a keen hunch that many leaders face these kinds of seemingly insurmountable issues, and they need real help from above. Lincoln prayed for such divine aid, and it led him through a war that could easily have destroyed our nation in its early years. When we look at the judicial, legislative, and social mess we’re often finding ourselves in, one wonders if the people of God are really on the job with this thing called intercessory prayer for their leaders. A simple pastoral prayer on Sunday morning is appropriate and helpful, but it takes heaven-shaking, hell-quaking prayer to break through on long-standing issues that threaten the very moral fabric of our country. And every believer is responsible to do just that in the quiet of their prayer closets. As we bring our leaders before God’s throne, He promises to help them make decisions that will bless society and can also move His hand to prevent unprincipled individuals from occupying positions of influence and authority that will burden and curse their constituents (Pro. 29:2).
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS CAN CREATE A POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CLIMATE FAVORABLE TO CHRISTIAN CAUSES.
“Pray for those in authority … that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
James tells us that “the gospel of peace is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). It’s an established fact that the gospel advances in any and every social climate, but it has done remarkably well when regions of the world are in a state of order as opposed to chaos. As we pray for good government and effective, principled leadership, we’ll help create an environment conducive to the advance of the Christian causes in general and the progress of the Gospel of Christ in particular. Prayer is like a land moving machine, leveling out the surface of the political and social terrain, making spiritual progress not merely a potentiality but a reality!
Can you really make a difference in this year’s electoral process? You BETCHA! Get on your knees, open your eyes to the urgency of the hour, open your heart to God’s Word, and open your mouth to God in prayer for your leaders, both current and potential! Brethren, LET US PRAY!
John R. Petrilli
One vote .. that’s all that separated the winner from the loser in many historic elections. What might be the power of just one prayer? How about millions of prayers? Did you know that you have a Biblical basis for influencing the role of government in your life?
The apostle Paul writes to his younger protégé Timothy these words:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
We derive four principles from this passage that bear directly on our prayers for those who lead us.
FIRST, PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS IS TO BE REGARDED AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS AS WELL LOCAL CHURCHES.
“Paul states, “I urge FIRST OF ALL, that prayers … be made for all men.”
The media keeps chanting the mantra that the economy is the top priority in this year’s election. But God’s Word says that, when it comes to politics, His people are to make prayer their top priority. Why would God say this? Simply because, when a nation is under ethical, good, and godly leadership, it prospers. Make no mistake about it, God’s speaking here through the Spirit-inspired Scriptures, and He’s stressing the absolute necessity and strategic importance of targeting government leaders in our prayers. In spite of all; the special interest groups, lobbyists, and influence peddling that goes on, Christians directly influence public policy by simply praying for their leaders to make good decisions. When principled leaders are in office, public policy will reflect a morality of righteousness that will prosper its constituents and exalt the nation. As we pray ethical men and women into office, we set the table for God to use them to form legislation and policies that will honor Him and bless the land, which translates into economic prosperity, by the way.
Recall the twin sister ancient nations of Israel and Judah. God blessed them incredibly when good kings reigned, but they fell into gross idolatry and bondage under godless rulers. Remember how God jockeyed godly Queen Esther into a position of huge influence that ultimately saved the Jewish people from permanent extinction. She was instrumental in exposing Haman’s anti-Semitic plot to commit genocide by wiping out every Jew in the vast land of ancient Persia. God orchestrated circumstances to place Esther into her royal position for just such a critical as that. It doesn’t take a rocket scientists to figure out that America is at a moral, spiritual, and cultural crossroads. As never before, as the Body of Christ we all need to be on our knees praying for God’s intervention and healing of our country. This is surely no time to take a position of “non-involvement”. Hear the almost prophetic words of what the legendary 19th century evangelist Charles Grandison Finney had to say about Christians and politics:
“The Church must take right ground in regards to politics. The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them. Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to God. God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”
Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not the “economy stupid”, it’s the “morality stupid”! We need to be honest and ask ourselves, “What priority does praying for our leaders have in my life?” Are we praying specifically for them by name each day? If so, great. If not, it’s high time we immediately started and then never stop this God-ordained Christian duty.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS SHOULD BE COMPREHENSIVE AND NON-PARTISAN.
“Pray for ALL men … pray for ALL who are in positions of authority”.
Funny, one might expect Paul to request and urge prayer for only the godly leaders, but, no, he says God wants us to pray for every leader, regardless of their track record. Why? Because God holds their hearts and minds in His hand, and He wants to use them to accomplish His will. Also, every leader needs wisdom far beyond what he or she innately possess, God knows their desperate need, and wants us to pray that they are open to His wisdom as they approach and solve the problems of their society. Interesting that Paul wrote this while a very unpleasant Emperor named Nero was in power, busily burning and killing believers left and right for the pure sport of it! Peter explains that we’re to honor those God has placed in authority over us, and one great way to honor them is to regularly support them in prayer (1 Pet.2:13-17).
As we pray for our upcoming election, we need to pray for everyone involved. Who knows that God may want someone other than who we think in order to accomplish His sometimes mysterious plan? We need to vote in a manner commensurate with our Christian consciences, but we need to pray with an openness to God’s plan as well.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS SHOULD BE BATHED IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF GRATITUDE TO GOD AND IMBUED WITH A GENUINE SENSE OF URGENCY.
Paul spices up the prayer request with two powerful descriptive phrases, “giving of thanks” and “intercessions”. How often do we really thank God for the incredible liberties we already enjoy? Thanksgiving sets the proper tone for the kind of urgent interceding we need to be making as we get down on our knees on behalf of our leaders. If first century Christians could thank God for monsters like Nero, how can we fail to express our appreciation for the long and distinguished train of American leaders who have contributed so much and often at so great a personal cost? And God forbid that we pray tepid, lukewarm, half-hearted prayers. Paul knew of no such intercession, he’s all about storming the gates of heaven with heart-breaking, mind-blowing, soul-shattering requests on behalf of all men who need God’s salvation and wisdom.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS CAN PROMOTE SOUND PUBLIC POLICY.
“Give the king Your judgments, O God.” (Psa. 72:1)
When asked how one might pray for them, many Presidents have asked prayer that they might have wisdom. The Psalmist prayed, “Give the king Your judgments, O God. (Psa. 72:1)” King Solomon demonstrated unusual wisdom as he adjudicated a seemingly irresolvable case involving a dispute over parental rights between two supposed mothers of the same baby. I have a keen hunch that many leaders face these kinds of seemingly insurmountable issues, and they need real help from above. Lincoln prayed for such divine aid, and it led him through a war that could easily have destroyed our nation in its early years. When we look at the judicial, legislative, and social mess we’re often finding ourselves in, one wonders if the people of God are really on the job with this thing called intercessory prayer for their leaders. A simple pastoral prayer on Sunday morning is appropriate and helpful, but it takes heaven-shaking, hell-quaking prayer to break through on long-standing issues that threaten the very moral fabric of our country. And every believer is responsible to do just that in the quiet of their prayer closets. As we bring our leaders before God’s throne, He promises to help them make decisions that will bless society and can also move His hand to prevent unprincipled individuals from occupying positions of influence and authority that will burden and curse their constituents (Pro. 29:2).
PRAYER FOR GOVERNING LEADERS CAN CREATE A POLITICAL AND CULTURAL CLIMATE FAVORABLE TO CHRISTIAN CAUSES.
“Pray for those in authority … that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
James tells us that “the gospel of peace is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). It’s an established fact that the gospel advances in any and every social climate, but it has done remarkably well when regions of the world are in a state of order as opposed to chaos. As we pray for good government and effective, principled leadership, we’ll help create an environment conducive to the advance of the Christian causes in general and the progress of the Gospel of Christ in particular. Prayer is like a land moving machine, leveling out the surface of the political and social terrain, making spiritual progress not merely a potentiality but a reality!
Can you really make a difference in this year’s electoral process? You BETCHA! Get on your knees, open your eyes to the urgency of the hour, open your heart to God’s Word, and open your mouth to God in prayer for your leaders, both current and potential! Brethren, LET US PRAY!
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