While visiting Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas on Sunday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Americans to focus on their faith and remain diligent in prayer.
He explained that Christians must be committed to demonstrating God’s Word and reflect His love in our actions.
“We should be mindful of our responsibility, our duty, our obligation, and our capacity to keep our faith, our light in the public square,” he said.
“As Christians, we’re called to do that. We have that responsibility,” Pompeo added. “It’s fundamentally American too. We should pray. That’s the first of all things. I feel prayers. I get notes from people who say they’re praying for me. I can feel it. My wife, my son, we all appreciate it.”
Pompeo pointed out the essential role that missionaries play and how important it is to support their efforts.
“You should keep supporting the missionaries that come from your church and from others,” he said. “They’re doing remarkable work. I see it as I travel all around the world. They are bringing salt and light to some of the darkest corners of the world. But you can also do it in simple ways.”
He encouraged his audience to be open and honest about their Christian faith, regardless of the occasion.
“In every interaction that you have, whether you’re at church or at a Bible study, at your work, or wherever you may find yourself, exercise your right to religious freedom. Be open. Be clear about who you are.”
Pompeo concluded his speech with a strong message about religious freedom and the privileges bestowed upon Americans to practice their faith freely.
“If you hide your light in an open society like ours, that sends a terrible message to places that are more difficult, who have trouble or who are threatened if they choose to be bold in their faith. I’d urge every one of you to use your precious freedoms to do big things for our country alongside of doing big things for our kingdom.
“Now, the world is watching us, and there will be naysayers. There will be critics,” he said. “If you speak up about your faith, it is undoubtedly the case that someone will suggest that that’s not the right thing to do. But don’t be discouraged. It means you’ve got conviction and that you showed it.”
HD Editors Note: What Does This Have To Do With Bible Prophecy?
The Bible calls for Christians to pray for their leaders. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, we are told that the reason for doing this is so that we, as the Body of Christ, “may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” It is only that we can live peaceably in our lives when we have leaders in place that will protect us and our religious freedom. God does not want us to hide our faith, stop sharing the Gospel, or compromise on what is Biblically understood to be the difference between right and wrong.
Religious Freedom is at stake not only in the country as a whole but in individual states. There is a great contrast that can be seen state by state demonstrating the difference between godly and ungodly leadership. Just look at the attack Christians are facing in California and other states to be able to assemble together as God commanded (Hebrew 10:25).
In 2 Timothy 3:12, we are told that in the last days, persecution would come upon all who “live godly in Christ.” In other words, those who live by the Biblical and godly standards outlined in God’s word, which run contrary to the world. It would be the refusal to give up Biblical morality that would cause Christians to be hated/persecuted.
This same chapter also explains that others would be “despisers of those that are good,” people who “resist the truth,” and be “reprobate concerning the faith.”
Under bad/godless leadership Christians are forced into a position that “living godly in Christ” may cause us to lose our jobs/business, lose our freedom, or in some cases lose our lives. That is why God calls us to pray for our leaders and “all who are in high positions.” It as well can be safely added that Christians are also called to vote (Biblically) for this same reason.
