Have you experienced discouragement within the past year? With all that has been going on in our world, our country, our neighborhoods, our private lives.......certainly we have all felt discouraged. As senior citizens, we might feel that discouragement hits us harder because of feeling lonely, out of the mainstream, suffering from grief as our loved ones die, experiencing pain, discomfort as we struggle with physical problems, dealing with lockdowns, and federal rules that change almost daily. All of us in our society have felt deep, serious discouragement this past year.
Many of us are discouraged with our federal government. Are they truly leading us or are they just mouthing empty promises? Do they truly know how most Americans feel these days, how frustrated, discouraged and fearful we have become? As a child growing up I remember FDR as president, but did not even know he was in a wheelchair. No TV at that time and limited news coverage. At that time and for years afterward, I trusted the federal government and voted for candidates that 'seemed' honest and trustworthy.
Now I realize how naive I have been. First of all, I did not really know what went on in Washington. I just put total trust in the government leaders, respecting and honoring their public service. Politics was something that sounded interesting but not enough to make me get involved. However, now in 2021, thanks to mass media, we know details of government decision making, the pros and cons of debates, subtle controversial ingredients of House bills and we realize our government is ruled by instances of subterfuge resulting in hidden taxes and promoting certain government priorities that benefit politicians.
As a result, I now admit I am worried about our safety as a nation, I wonder how our adversaries are going to take advantage of us, and most of all, what is the future for my children and grandchildren?
There is a solution to my discouragement. I believe in one true God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Even in these days of our country's weakness, vulnerability, mistrust and confusion, my Lord is in control. I don't see it, I don't feel it.....but I know He is here to help and lead us. Hebrews 13: 6 "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid." Chapter 9 of the Book of Daniel in the OT is a wonderful example of how believers can pour out their hearts and pray to God. By admitting our own sin and unfaithfulness, God listens and will heal our land.
How was our country born? The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Our Creator is God Almighty, recognized in our famous Declaration. Is God ignored today in our government? Is God recognized with respect and obedience as our Creator? Almighty God wants every citizen of the United States to enjoy Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. We believe that and we believe prayer means we talk with God and He listens to our pleas.
Yes, prayer is what our beloved country needs now. Vista Springs Holland Meadows here in Holland is a facility for senior citizens who require assistance in daily living. What can senior citizens do in such a time as this? PRAY! We residents here have opened a daily prayer time. We meet for 20 minutes of prayer right before noon dinner. We are just beginning, small in number, but we will grow as more of us realize the opportunity to talk with God. We pray diligently that our United States of America will again be the world's leader in freedom, liberty and strength with full respect and faith in our Creator.
