inferno

We didn’t start the fire. It was always burning since the worlds been turning. We didn’t start the fire. No, we didn’t light it, but we tried to fight it.

Billy Joel

Tears shed through bloodshed while continued hatred sets ablaze a society that rises in support of death, destruction, and horrific acts of terror. 

That death, that destruction, and those acts of terror along with the continued hate crimes committed within a society – is not a human force. It is a demonic force executed through human flesh.

Throughout the generations, anger and hatred seems to have breed deeper anger and inbred hatred amongst society. This disease of the soul further seeps into those compromised and lost individuals, and unfortunately, a new generation of “terrorists” rise from the inferno of ignorance and work to (intentionally or unintentionally) execute satan’s wickedness on God’s planet.

Unfortunately, innocent people of various religions, races, and ethnicities get caught in the crossfire of the physical wars waged; and even deeper, the spiritual warfare that has been waged from the beginning of time. 

Billy Joel sang it right, “We didn’t start the fire, it was always burning since the worlds been turning. But the reality is that humanity has always had its hand in fueling the perpetual firestorm.

As long as this deep-rooted hatred exists – so will the unrest. so will the wars. so will the suffering.

In these times, we pray for those suffering by unrest, terror, and war. We pick a side and “stand” with them in hopes of peace. Some stand in hopes for vengeance. And we do this living in the same burning inferno with the same pre-conditioned anger, hatred, and/or prejudice. As the famous quote goes; the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

This may be one of the many reasons that us humans live in the world we live in today. Perhaps if we tried a different approach, we might get a different result and possibly begin to extinguish the fire that’s been burning since the worlds been turning.

What the gospel says (in Ephesians) is to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We are taught to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, as written in Matthew 5:43-45.

The real question is – how do we pray for those who hate us? How do we love those who commit evil and terroristic acts against us? And how do we live amongst those with opposing and/or oppressive ideology?

The real and honest answer is…I do not know.

What I do know is that Christ experienced the same anger, hatred, and prejudices against HIM. HE shed tears. HIS Blood was shed. HE suffered in agony. HE died for our sins, but just before he gasped for his last breath… HE asked HIS Father in Heaven to forgive us – because… We Know Not What We Do.

So when we do not know how to do something or what to do; we stop. we pause and be still. we listen to hear. And when ready – we start!

So, I will start with a prayer.

In the name of Jesus, I pray for those who hold life-long anger and hatred towards opposing races, religions, and ethnicities. I pray through God’s mysterious intervention that their hearts be softened and remolded into the image of Christ. I pray for those who commit (or have committed) egregious crimes against humanity. I pray that they encounter Jesus in such a way that HE brings them humbly to their knees (where they can see their wrong doings), and furthermore, denounce the evil they have been entangled in. I pray that they ask for forgiveness, and forever turn away from their evil ways. Let them then share their stories of redemption and be a witness to who Jesus is, how HE loves, and how HE saves.

For the children who have been massacred, murdered, killed, and for those children that are “alive” but suffering while they live in a hell that the “adults” have created for them. I pray that HE holds them in the palm of HIS hands. May HE bring comfort and hope to those alive and suffering – and may they hear of HIS promise for everlasting-life in HIS kingdom. And for those poor children whose lives are lost in the crossfire, may their innocent souls be reunited with their Father in Heaven and be given all the treasures earth could not provide.

For those who have lost their lives so tragically; who have been murdered or killed, and for those who have not accepted Christ, I pray for each and every soul – and ask that God shows HIS mercy and forgiveness on their intentional and unintentional sin. I pray that HIS light shines upon them and that their souls finally understand the true meaning of peace without suffering.

For the families and people who are left behind to deal with the aftermath of hatred, terror, and war. I pray that HE offers comfort, peace, strength, and hope in your time of suffering. I pray that HE shows HIS mercy in the mess and shines HIS light within the darkness.

For those who have chosen or choose to dance with the devil and intentionally do harm against society, or happily commit acts of violence and terror on humanity without any remorse, regret, or without seeking forgiveness and redemption (despite being given every chance to do so in Christ) may HE deal with you and your soul accordingly during HIS judgment day. Prayers that it does not get to that.

For all of humanity, I pray that we seek the truth, remain still, listen to hear, and find the true answer to everlasting peace. And when we do – I pray that humanity comes together in unified continuous prayers, so much so, that we extinguish the flames of hell.

LOVE, with all my HEART,

Natalie