America is Praying

Jim Elliff

America is praying. The call of the president to gather people of all faiths and religions to a service of mourning at the National Cathedral following the recent terrorist attacks has become a poignant symbol of a nation on its knees. We are a religious people at heart, and this tragedy has brought a spiritual cry from our united aching soul.

To whom are these prayers directed?

As the apostle Paul walked through Athens, Greece in the first century, he saw a city full of idols. When the philosophers of the day asked him to present his views, he said:

Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, "TO AN UNKNOWN GOD." What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. (Acts 17:22-23)

Paul's words are instructive. He observed that the city of Athens was a religious city. We identify. Our religion is displayed in the mosques, synagogues, temples, and Christian houses of worship on street corners throughout the whole of the nation.

We also know that the Athenians worshipped many gods, for the city was full of idols. The God Paul spoke of could have easily been accepted as another in the pantheon, provided this new god stayed on equal terms with the others.

But who was this "UNKNOWN GOD?" The one unknown to them is the true God of the universe, according to Paul.

Although we allow many gods to be worshipped in this great nation because faith must be voluntary, there can be only one true God. Paul described Him like this:

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, neither is he served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things. . . . for in Him we live and move and exist. (v. 24-25)

The true God is the sole creator and Lord. He does not need anything, but gives life to all. In fact, it is only in God that we have our existence. There is one creator, one Lord, one giver of life. But he says more:

He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. (v. 31)

This One who gives life to all and sustains all will also judge all. And He proved that by resurrecting the One He sent to eventually carry out that judgment, Jesus Christ.

Now, here is the beautiful thing. Paul went on to say that this God is not far from each one of us. I find such help in this thought. The true God, the one who has appointed His own Son to judge the world, is reachable. And if we seek Him and search for Him, He can be found. He is close by. (v. 27)

What do you do now?

Perhaps this tragic event in our history, unlike anything we have known, has made you a praying person. You are seeing some religious interest, some stirring. You can be thankful for this. At this time your desires are unfocused, but nevertheless strong. What should you do now?

You begin with what is known about Him—He is Creator and Sovereign, and both Savior and Judge through Jesus Christ. Work from that base. Then, with humility, you seek a relationship with Him. In other words, you do not just want to pray to some nebulous divinity out there somewhere, crying out to emptiness and transcendence without any truth to guide you. God did not mean for it to be that way. Knowing God is not just tears, or the oneness you feel with others during this difficult time.

I cannot say too strongly that you should read the Bible. Reading in the book of John or Mark in the New Testament is often a good place to start. In these sections you will understand something of Christ. You will see how he demonstrates His authority over sickness, death, nature, and the spiritual world. In these passages you will find the word "repent" and "believe". To repent means that you were heading one direction, but now you are deliberately turning to Christ, away from your former life and practice. You now despise what you once loved and love what you once hated. To trust, believe, or have faith in Christ means that you rest your full confidence in Him to rescue you from the consequences of your sin. You depend upon Him to deliver you before the final judgment.

You will read of Christ's death. This death was for people just like you. Christ died to pay the penalty for sins we deserve to pay for. He substituted His life for ours. He was then resurrected, conquering the power of sin and death for those who put their trust in Him. These are the basic stories and truths that will change your life.

Then, along with reading the Scriptures, you should try to find a church where the Bible is being taught. Not all teach the Bible well or as carefully as they should. Attend, listen, and ask questions.

Finally, you should not give up praying. God is not far away. He has revealed Himself in His Son. His Holy Spirit draws you to Christ. Ask Him to teach you about Himself. Ask Him to change your life. Trust Him with your life. He says that if you put your trust in Him, you will be His—forever. I have seen people seek God many times in these ways and then find Him. And I've never seen anyone come to Christ on His terms, placing his or her faith in Him, who was disappointed. I do not think it can be said too often that He is not far away.

America is praying. You are praying. But you do not have to pray to an UNKNOWN GOD. I believe that this praying with the right set of truths will bring you into purposefulness, forgiveness, and true spiritual life, out of spiritual death and emptiness. How we would love to see someone come out alive from the basement of the collapsed remains of the World Trade Center. Your transformation would be, however, even more of a miracle than that.

Copyright © 2001 Jim Elliff
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For other articles offering spiritual help during a time of fear, see www.WayToGod.org.