It's Time to Pray, Day 30

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." ~Galatians 5:13

When Christ set men free from the law, not everyone knew what to do with their freedom. Some literally taught that freedom in Christ meant everything was permissible, even those things that were morally wrong. Paul, who understood freedom perhaps better than anyone, had to step in and provide some corrective teaching.

Freedom is a great thing. Knowing how to use our freedom is even better. History is replete with examples of those who failed to understand the purposes and restraints of freedom. The violence and despotism associated with the French Revolution is a good example of freedom gone bad. Their rejection of the Christian faith prevented the tempering effect that faith should have had on passions that were given new-found freedom.

Over the past few decades there has been a growing movement in the United States desiring to remove any restraints that faith might provide. There is a world of difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion. Though the latter uses the word "freedom," it nonetheless is a path that leads away from freedom and toward tyranny and intolerance.

Prayer Points

• Thank the Lord for the freedom we have in Him and for the wisdom to understand that freedom.
• Ask the Lord to thwart the efforts of those who would remove religious freedom from our nation.
• Pray for a new spirit of responsible freedom to sweep through our nation.

My Prayer

I thank You, Lord, for the freedom we have in Jesus. Help us to use that freedom with the wisdom that comes from above. Protect freedom in our nation. Lord, step in and prevent those who oppose You from gaining power or influence in this nation. Help our schools and universities to teach and model what it means to be responsible with the freedom that has been given us.