It has been an interesting month or two in the world. To be honest, I have felt a bit overwhelmed by it all because I have been focusing more on the governments around us. Russia is passing laws against proselytizing outside of the church, Brexit passed and a new prime minister for England, the attacks in France, loss of confidence in the EU, and the circus of an election in the U.S.; it is all a bit overwhelming when I focus on it. I don’t write this to create a discuss about these topics or make it your focus, but rather share with you some things I needed to be reminded of while in London.

We just got back from 12 days in London. We went to London to join our Reality Church family to pray for the city and for the new church they are starting there in September. It was so good to have time praying corporately in English, and worshiping and fellowshipping with our U.S. church family.

We had 150ish Americans walking the boroughs of London in groups of about ten, praying to God to do mighty things in the city, for a revival. If I can believe and pray that God change peoples hearts and minds and that the city of London would turn to Him, why then is it so easy to become fearful when I read the news. We had sessions in the mornings and evenings and one was on fear and another on the power and supremacy of the Lord. These themes stuck with me on multiple levels: personally, for Timisoara, Romania, London, the U.S.

One of the pastors shared a quote ( I wish I had written down who it was), “the modern day idol of the church is the government.” We expected the government to be stable and keep the peace among countries and protect us, these feel like realms the church can’t influence. I resonated with this quote.

Do I think God is not bigger than the world’s problems?

Do I believe God is with me in the good and the bad?

Have I forgotten how he brought down cities and governments in the Old Testament?

Do I believe God is supreme?

These are questions I have had to ask myself. I have to reorient my thinking.

“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:29-31

Just as Peter shifted his focus to the wind, I have shifted my focus and I cry out, “Lord save us.” He picks me up and says, “have you forgotten… I already have.” I need to re-orient.

I have to re-examine how I am praying. Am I praying out of fear or out of the power of the name of Jesus? Also, praying for the city of London has had me questioning how I pray for my own city, Timisoara. (I will be doing another blog on this later.)

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

Ephesians 1 :18-23

I write this to remind myself of what I have learned, hopefully to encourage you too, and to remember who reigns supreme. For Jesus has already won! He has already defeated the grave. Do not be afraid.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Colossians 1: 15-20