Hope in the midst of scandal, shaking and scepticism.

“You are...terminated!” No, this was not a line from Doctor Who and his eternal battle with the Daleks. It was a message from the President of the USA to the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, given to him whilst he was speaking to his staff.

To British ears this sounds unreal. No British employer would dismiss a member of staff in this peremptory manner. “You’re fired!” only happens on TV shows like The Apprentice. In fact, employment law in Britain protects employees from arbitrary dismissal.

So what’s going on in America? It was known that the FBI were investigating the links between Trump and Russia during the presidential election campaign. Were the FBI getting too close to the truth for President Trump? Political commentators in the USA began immediately to compare this dismissal to when President Nixon did the same a year before the Watergate scandal caused him to resign the presidency.

Even the smallest whiff of a similar scandal is immensely damaging to the President – but it is more than that, it comes at a time when the whole political establishment in Europe and America is sailing in troubled waters that are likely to produce some notable shipwrecks.

France: The People’s Choice?

Just look at what’s happened in France this week! The people have just elected a new president, but nearly half the population either did not vote or spoilt their ballot paper in protest at the choice they were offered. All the candidates from the main parties failed to get popular support in the first round of voting so the choice was between two rank outsiders.

The winner, Emmanuel Macron, only formed his En Marche! party last year. But, Surprise! Surprise! The man who was supposed to be a rank outsider - the populist ‘people’s choice’(especially young people, who have flocked around him) – has been endorsed by the outgoing Labour Party President Hollande and even more emphatically by the former Labour Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who says that the Labour party in France is finished and dead - and he has now joined En Marche!.¹

The whole political establishment in Europe and America is sailing in troubled waters that are likely to produce some notable shipwrecks.

Emmanuel Macron. So, what’s going on? It looks as though the people of France have been fooled by a gigantic con trick. The populist choice, the man who the people have embraced, turns out to be an ex-banker who made a fortune through investment banking, became the Minister for the economy in the outgoing Labour Government and is a stooge of Brussels, an enthusiastic supporter of the EU! How long will it be before the French people wake up and realise that they’ve been conned - the old political elite that has governed the country for decades is still in power!

The USA: Increasing Disillusionment

Is the same thing already happening in the USA? Trump’s 100 days’ honeymoon is over. His election promises have not yet been fulfilled: he hasn’t built his wall and Mexico are not going to pay for it. He has not reformed Obamacare and he’s not even managed to control immigration. The people put their trust in a rich businessman rather than a politician, but will he do any better than the politicians?

We are living in a day of disillusionment. Throughout the Western world, people are expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling elite who have held power for decades. ‘Change’ is in the air. It’s the one thing everyone wants. No one quite knows what it is they do want – they just know what they don’t want: they don’t want what they’ve got!

It’s this air of uncertainty that is hanging over most of the Western nations and can be seen especially in Europe, in America and in Britain, where we are facing a Brexit-driven General Election. But surely Christians should be seeing this as an enormous opportunity! It is an opportunity to present a new and living way! Why are not churches actively leading the way and presenting the way of righteousness, truth and prosperity to the people? Why is there so little evidence of the Gospel in the marketplace?

Declaring the Whole Will of God

We frequently hear from people all over the country who say that in their church they never hear the preacher refer to current affairs or apply the Gospel to the great issues of the day.

No one quite knows what it is they do want – they just know they don’t want what they’ve got! Surely Christians should be seeing this as an enormous opportunity!

I had a Sunday off last month and I went to worship at a local Baptist church, where the Minister preached a message from Ephesians. This was fine - but afterwards I learned that he had been working his way through Ephesians, line by line, for the past two years! However good Ephesians is, it does not give a rounded gospel. Paul, speaking to the Ephesian elders on his last visit to the region said, “I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God” (Acts 20:27, emphasis added).

Surely it is the whole word of God that is needed in the Church today, if we are to understand what is happening in the world around us and what God is requiring of his Church. There are many churches where the preachers never use the Old Testament, so the whole word of God, especially that delivered through the Prophets, is never heard.

Shaking All That Can Be Shaken

Christians will never be able to understand the word of God for today if they are cut off from the Hebraic roots of our faith. In this magazine, for many years, we have been warning that the days were coming when God will shake everything. There’s plenty of evidence of this happening now, in our lifetime.

Many people have said to us that God would never shake the Church because it is the Body of Christ. But surely it is the people, the disciples of Jesus, who are the Body of Christ – not the institutions that we call churches!

It is the whole word of God that is needed in the Church today, if we are to understand what is happening and what God is requiring of us.

In Hebrews 12:26f we are told that it is God’s intention to shake everything that human beings have created, “so that what cannot be shaken may remain” which will prepare the way for the Kingdom of God.

One of the principles that is embedded in the world of nature, part of God’s Creation, is that seeds have to fall into the ground and die before new life can be produced. It may be that the whole of Western civilisation has become so corrupted that all its major social institutions – the economy (banks), society (political parties) and even the denominations that we call ‘churches’ will have to die for genuine new life to spring from them.

Signs of Hope

But in this time when God is shaking the nations, there are also many signs of new life - especially in the vast and rapid growth of the church in China and Indonesia and other places where Christians have been suffering hardship and severe persecution.

Meanwhile, though traditional denominations continue to decline in the West, there are encouraging signs of new life here as well. In Britain we see:

• The churches that are growing are ones where the whole word of God is preached, where worship is lively and prayer is focused and meaningful.
  
• Increasing numbers of believers are meeting in house fellowships for prayer and Bible study.
  
• Many Christians are involved in practical programmes of outreach into the community, such as street pastors, food banks and holiday clubs for children.
  
• Many are also active in a wide range of voluntary organisations seeking to promote Godly values in society.
  

In these times of enormous social change and upheaval, we not only need to note what is happening in the socio-political and economic spheres, but also to note (and celebrate!) what God is doing through his people.

Is Trump a modern version of the Persian king Cyrus?

Rival petitions calling for a ban on a state visit from President Trump and supporting such a visit, have attracted sufficiently large numbers of supporters in the UK to trigger a debate in Parliament scheduled for 20 February 2017.

The outcry from the anti-Trump campaigners has been the larger and most vociferous. It rapidly attracted over 1 million petitioners in the first few days, encouraged by street demonstrations in many cities across the world.

The petitions resulted from an executive order signed by Donald Trump imposing a three-month suspension of visas for visitors from seven countries with Muslim-majority populations. The seven are Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen – all known to have connections with Islamic terrorists.

Recent anti-Trump protest, New York. See Photo Credits.Why has this caused such an outcry in Western nations? It surely cannot be that large numbers of Westerners want to encourage Middle Eastern Muslims to go to the USA. There has to be another reason. Of course, it’s an opportunity to express dislike of Trump and the many offensive things that he said during his campaign. But the spontaneous outburst also needs to be seen in the wider context of the huge backlash against the Trump inauguration both in the USA and in many other nations.

Elite Outcry

This backlash has come particularly from those within the US who support the liberal elite – the secular humanist intelligentsia who have controlled the political scene in the country for several decades. The prospect of them losing the political power and social status they have enjoyed for so many years is driving them to a frenzy of protest, using every possible means of expressing their fury - from traditional street demonstrations to celebrity endorsements and social media.

The latest move by President Trump to appoint a conservative judge to fill a vacancy in the Supreme Court underlines the social and moral revolution that is beginning to unravel decades of social engineering that has taken place in the USA.

The backlash against Trump is coming from the secular humanist intelligentsia who have controlled the political scene in the USA for decades.

One of the major reasons for Trump attracting large numbers of supporters who do not usually vote Republican and large numbers of the disillusioned and disenfranchised is because he promised "to drain the Washington sump". Americans understood this as getting rid of the cabal of professional politicians and civil servants who have imposed a far-left social ideology upon the USA for the past two or three decades.

Trump as Cyrus

Evangelical Christians in the USA have hailed Donald Trump as being in the mould of Cyrus, the 6^th Century BC Persian ruler who was described by the Prophet Isaiah as being chosen by God, although he didn’t even know the name of the God of Israel (see Isa 45:4).

It is an interesting comparison because Cyrus overthrew the all-powerful Babylonian Empire that had ruled what we now know as the Middle East for 70 years. The then-current Babylonian Emperor, Nabonidus, was weak and ineffective. When Cyrus approached Babylon there was no battle and no resistance – people welcomed him and he took control of the whole Babylonian Empire without a drop of blood being shed.

Cyrus was different from any other ruler before him. He did not publicly kill Nabonidus. He arrested him but treated him kindly. Also, he signed a decree releasing all the political prisoners held by the Babylonians. This enabled all the Jews who had been enslaved by Nebuchadnezzar and used as forced labour in Babylonia, to go back to their homes in Israel and to re-build the ruined city of Jerusalem.

Cyrus’s decree also released people from other countries who had been deported to Babylon. They were allowed to go back to their countries of origin and take with them the edifices of their gods which had been brought to Babylon. The Jews did not have images of God, but they were allowed to take all the sacred vessels stolen by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple in Jerusalem.

Evangelical Christians in the USA have hailed Donald Trump as being in the mould of Cyrus, the 6th Century BC Persian ruler.

Helping God’s People

Cyrus not only allowed the Jewish people to go back to Jerusalem; he also gave a large sum of money to the Jews for the re-building of the Temple, on the understanding that they would regularly pray for him and his family. The ‘Cyrus Cylinder’ which is held in the British Museum in London gives details of this arrangement, which is hailed by many historians as the first ‘Charter of Human Rights’ in world history.

Cyrus was the first Emperor to rule his empire by ‘consensus’ and not by force. He believed that if the people felt gratitude towards him and he showed generosity rather than cruelty; they would accept him and not oppose his authority. History shows a period of peace throughout the region during his lifetime and those of his immediate successors.

Today’s Changes

So, are American Christians justified in comparing Trump with Cyrus?

First, look at the situation in Washington: a revolutionary period of change has begun in the USA – not through violent revolution (even though there have been protests) but via a peaceful transition of power, like Cyrus’s takeover of Babylon. The man leading today’s revolution is very different from all those who have gone before; he has no entrenched political ideology. He has no experience of government or diplomacy; but that was probably what was needed to effect fundamental change (although he is likely to make some clumsy mistakes until he gains experience).

Now look at the nature of the changes that are taking place. The secular humanist liberal elite that has ruled Washington for decades is being replaced by a much more conservative administration who wish to emphasise traditional, biblically-based social and moral values. Of course, there are many in America who hate what is happening and they are very vocal in protest. But that doesn’t mean that the changes taking place are necessarily bad.

Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian Empire in a peaceful revolution, and was different from any other ruler before him.

Battling for the Soul of the West

Meanwhile, the same battle is going on in Europe: it is a battle for the soul of the Western nations in a largely post-Christian era. In Britain, the battle has become focused around Brexit, with secular humanists on both the left and the right, such as Nick Clegg and Ken Clarke, still fighting to keep Britain within the European Union.

Listening to the debate in the House of Commons this week, it was clear that the division between supporters of Brexit and Remainers is no longer political and economic - it is about social values and the ethos of our national identity: at root, it is a spiritual battle.

It is essential that Christians understand the nature of this battle that is taking place in our lifetime – for it is a battle where prayer and Christian witness are of vital significance for the outcome.

Is Trump a Modern Cyrus?

So, back to the original question: could Trump be a modern Cyrus? Cyrus the Persian was a great leader: he was wise and compassionate. Do we see the same characteristics in Trump? Probably not at the moment, but can he change? Only time will tell.

The same battle is going on in Europe – it is a battle for the soul of the Western nations in a post-Christian era.

But one thing is certain – God has allowed his election to happen and I firmly believe in the sovereignty of God and that with God nothing is impossible. So, I’m prepared to wait and see and to join American Christians in surrounding the man with prayer, in the hope that he may grow in wisdom and grace for the sake of the peace and prosperity of the world.

Paul Luckraft reviews ‘God’s Chaos Candidate’ by Dr Lance Wallnau (2016).

One of the big questions of 2016 was, ‘How did Donald Trump get elected to the highest office in the USA, if not the world?’ As his inauguration happens today many will be repeating that question and wondering how it will all work out. Here is a fascinating book that provides insights into the personal journey of the new President and the state of the country he is about to lead.

The title itself is an interesting one, based upon Jeb Bush’s description of Donald Trump as “the chaos candidate”. Lance Wallnau has taken this and given it a prophetic twist, advocating that Trump, rather than being the candidate of chaos, is the right man to lead America through and out of the chaos that has descended upon the nation in recent decades. Hence the phrase in the subtitle, the American Unraveling, to which he devotes a whole chapter towards the end of the book.

A Wrecking Ball?

The first chapter is available as a free download on the author’s website and I would recommend reading this as a taster for the book as a whole. In sum, Dr Wallnau believes that God has chosen Trump to be a “wrecking ball to the spirit of political correctness” (p7) and that he is God’s anointed leader for the coming years in the same way that the Lord chose Cyrus in the past (Isa 45).

The author is clear that Trump’s personal faith is not the main issue here, though he does argue that while Trump is far from being an evangelical Christian, he does support many Christian values and offers a new opportunity for America’s Christian heritage to flourish again.

Wallnau advocates that Trump, rather than being the candidate of chaos, is the right man to lead America out of the chaos that has descended upon it in recent decades.

A New Cyrus?

The author’s thesis is that God can use those who are not specifically ‘one of his own’, just as he has in the past (as well as Cyrus, Wallnau cites, among others, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill). In emergency situations (especially those of a chaotic nature), what is required is a different kind of leader, someone with a transformational agenda and the capability of putting it into practice - rather than one committed to maintaining the status quo with all its self-interest and propagation of political power.

Trump’s emergence as a “rugged wilderness voice” has created a “destabilizing threat to the vast deal making machinery” (p8) that permeates the Washington scene in both political parties. And this, the author believes, is exactly what is needed at this time.

Warning - Dominionism

Quite a bit of the book is devoted to the US political scene, which may be of more interest to some readers than others, but it does not prevent the book being a readable account of how the USA has been affected by the strategists of the Progressive Left. The author argues that the ‘seven mountains of culture’ (Religion, Family, Education, Government, News Media, Entertainment, Business/Economics) have been hijacked to reduce the impact of Christianity in the nation and to attack Christian values.

As such, Wallnau suggests, the USA is now facing its ‘Fourth Crucible’, a defining moment on a similar plane to events like the founding Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Depression and WW2. Another four or eight years of the same kind of government, from either party, could lead to a permanent unravelling and even ultimate collapse.

There are many interesting insights in this part of the book, but it is also important to note at this point the author’s clear and problematic devotion to dominion theology, specifically the ‘Seven Mountains’ branch. Dominion theology involves dangerous and deceptive interpretations of Scripture that this magazine does not endorse – neither can we endorse the highly influential ‘New Apostolic Reformation’ (NAR) group in the USA, out of which many of these teachings emanate.

Nevertheless, despite Wallnau’s clear connections here, this book provides a valid perspective on Trump and his entry into modern American politics that is worth weighing and holding in the context of a broader understanding of God’s word and purposes.

The author's thesis is that God can use those who are not specifically 'one of his own' - he cites Cyrus, Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, among others.

Trump the Man

Furthermore, Wallnau is not writing from a distance. He has met Trump personally and had regular access to him as part of a group of Christian pastors and leaders with whom Trump has had several meetings in recent years.

Wallnau has also researched Trump’s past and gained an understanding of what makes him tick as a businessman and family man, and how he thinks and operates today. These sections of the book provide revealing insights into the man who is about to become one of the world’s most powerful leaders. If our view of Trump so far is based on mainstream media output, then here is a welcome balance. The author has sought to put the record straight - or at least to straighten it out a bit.

Trump may be an unpolished performer politically, and he will make mistakes, but he is someone who tells the truth as he sees it and who will shake things up where necessary. As a very successful businessman and CEO his approach to the American economy will be to treat it as one big enterprise, a company that needs to pay its way rather than get deeper and deeper into debt.

God’s Common Grace

Inevitably the author faces questions along the lines of 'Is Trump a Christian?' He admits that Trump is no choir boy but believes that he does pray and is genuine in seeking God and re-establishing Christian principles which he does understand. His declaration to church leaders that they “have gotten soft” (p49-50) is most revealing! He has had personal moments of soul-seeking and spiritual transformation, and many encounters with anointed preachers (mainly African-American clergy who remain a key influence).

The author firmly believes that God’s ‘common grace’ is upon him, which he explains more fully in chapter 5. He asserts that “It has gradually dawned on evangelicals that having the right person in the Oval Office may be more important than voting their favorite Christian” (p68). Perhaps that answers the question posed earlier of how Donald Trump did get elected.

There are many interesting insights in the book, but it is also important to note the author's clear and problematic devotion to 'dominion theology'.

Seeing a Different Future

If we believe that God really does control nations and their destinies, then a critical consideration of Dr Wallnau’s book is important – whether or not you agree with the rest of his theology.

Perhaps, as the author suggests, Trump has been able to see a different future and is not afraid to go there. And if he has offered himself to the task of guiding America there, then at least he deserves our prayers. Perhaps he will find the Presidential office a transformational one for himself. If God has called him, then he will want to equip him.

God’s Chaos Candidate (156 pages, Killer Sheep Media Inc.) is available from Amazon for £10 (less on Kindle). For more information about the book and to read its first chapter, visit the official website.

What an incredible week this has been in international politics!

The week began with 70 nations gathering in Paris, with the intention of trying to force Israel into a two-state solution that would effectively commit national suicide. This was followed by world business leaders meeting in Davos, Switzerland, trying to assess the health and direction of the world economy.

On the same day that Davos started came the statement from Prime Minister Theresa May outlining British Government plans for Brexit which have long-term implications for Europe and the rest of the world. Today, the eyes of the world are upon Washington as the people of the USA install the most unlikely President in the history of the United States – Donald J Trump.

The pace of change worldwide has been increasing exponentially over the past 40 years. Today it is almost bewildering for all those who try to follow world events and to understand what is happening.

At the beginning of this year, political and economic commentators were looking back over 2016, trying to assess how accurate their forecasts for the year had been. Most of them admitted honestly that they had been taken by surprise on almost all major world events.

Christians who have been recognising for some years that God is shaking the nations can trace the hand of God in all this. The Psalmist got it right when he declared that God scoffs at the nations when they try to throw off all restraint and conspire in vain against his purposes (Ps 2). Paul touched on a deep truth when he said that “God made foolish the wisdom of this world…For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom” (1 Cor 1:20, 25).

Last year, most political and economic commentators were taken by surprise on almost all major word events.

The Nature and Purposes of God

So, how do we understand what’s going on in the world today? If we’re going to get a clear view of what is happening, we have to start by getting a biblical perspective of the nature and purposes of God.

This may sound boring to those who simply want to forecast the future. But without this broader perspective we have no yardstick of truth and no focal point for an investigation.

We need to know the God of Creation, who holds the nations in his hands. Despite having given human beings freedom of will, God nevertheless still guides the affairs of the nations to fulfil his overall purpose of bringing his Gospel of salvation to all people.

We have only to look at the incredible destruction of the city of Aleppo in Syria to see what human beings can do when all restraint is removed and there is no regard or value for anything, including human life. This is a picture in miniature of the direction the nations of the world, armed with the most incredible weapons of mass destruction, are taking towards collective global self-destruction. And this is the reason why God intervenes in world affairs - to steer the nations in a different direction.

Watching and Praying

Christians in the Western world have slowly been waking up over the past few decades to the reality of the world situation and the dangers that confront us. They have been stunned by the level of violence in the Middle East and the horrific acts of terrorism in Europe and elsewhere carried out by militant Muslims in the name of their god Allah. They feel helpless as the North Koreans strive to produce their first nuclear bomb and the Chinese establish military bases on unoccupied islands in the South China Sea.

An increasing number of Christians are taking seriously the command of Jesus to watch and pray. The significant rise in the number of home-based small groups around Britain is evidence of this. This prophetic, awakened Church is increasingly resembling that of New Testament times; not only for meetings in the home but also for emphasis upon prayer and Bible study.

If we’re going to understand what is happening, we have to start with a biblical perspective of the nature and purposes of God.

Prayer Makes a Difference!

In Britain, we are seeing more Christians involved in corporate prayer for national and international issues than we have seen since the days of the Second World War. I was at a conference last Saturday when the whole company agreed to stop and pray about the meeting of world leaders that was taking place in Paris. It was not on the agenda, but we spent a whole hour praying about the event and the issue of Israel and the Palestinians. I’m sure we were not alone and that prayer greatly influenced the outcome; bringing confusion among the delegates and resulting in no resolution that could harm Israel.

The business leaders’ meeting in Davos was also said to be a non-event, with delegates being more interested in what was happening in London, where Theresa May was speaking.

The Prime Minister’s speech certainly was very warmly received by much of the British media; especially her promises that Britain will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (or injustice, as many see it!), no longer subject to the free movement of labour so that we can control immigration and no longer under the control of European customs regulations so that we can develop international trade. Especially welcome was her statement that Britain would not accept a ‘bad deal’ - and that both Houses of Parliament will have a vote on the final agreement.

Of course, none of this has gone down very well in the European Union, which was to be expected. But during the next two years we may expect to see further major shaking of the EU and upheaval that will affect the negotiations with Britain. In threatening to make life difficult for post-EU Britain, European leaders are failing to factor in the activity of God.

In Britain, we are seeing more Christians involved in corporate prayer for national and international issues than we have seen since the Second World War.

Today: Focus on the USA

Anti-Trump demonstrators in Washington, today.

World leaders and Europhiles in Britain have all been surprised that their pre-Referendum forecasts of doom and economic disaster have not been fulfilled. But Christians know that prayer played a large part in Brexit and therefore we may expect to see God’s blessing – especially if believers continue to pray actively for the nation.

Today, the focus for prayer should be upon the USA – urgently asking the Lord to guide the new President and members of his Administration, that they will be given wisdom far above the normal human level to exercise Godly leadership as they navigate a confusing world and the rapid changes that are sweeping across the nations today.

Those who are fearful that Trump’s ungodly and erratic past could carry over into his presidency need to remember that with God nothing is impossible; as Jeremiah rightly declared:

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” (Jer 32:17)

Author: Dr Clifford Hill

References: Second image: Jose Luis Magana/AP/Press Association Images.

A call to prayer.

In two days' time, on Sunday 15 January, representatives from 70 nations will gather in Paris for a conference aimed at resurrecting the Israel/Palestine peace process.

Last week we commented on the passing of anti-Israel UNSC Resolution 2334 and John Kerry's speech setting out parameters for a 'two-state solution' (both December 2016). The next stage in Obama's swansong would appear to be a last-minute attempt to force through some kind of international agreement along these lines, using this Paris summit.

We do not yet know the form this agreement might take - whether further pressure on Israel to declare their West Bank settlements illegal, or even a global 'roadmap' for establishing a Palestinian state.¹ Its outcome may quickly be overturned when President-Elect Trump assumes office next Friday (20 January) – nevertheless, its clear follow-on from Resolution 2334 and its rushed placement just before Trump's inauguration are causing concern amongst Israelis and friends of Israel.

The Nations Gather

70 nations will be present at the summit (though some news outlets have reported that the eventual number might be 72 or 77), which has been instigated by the French and will be chaired by French President Francois Hollande.

This is prompting some biblical speculation. One Rabbinic commentator has noted that in Torah terms, '70 nations' signifies all nations – prompting connections to be made to Bible prophecies about all the nations of the world gathering against Israel during the end times.²

70 Nations Deciding the Fate of One

What is certain is that this is no gathering for the sake of peace – however it might be billed. We do not see similar conferences happening to solve the Syrian civil war, or to combat the spread of ISIS, for instance. Israel is being singled out in yet another international attempt to carve up her God-given land and further undermine support for her very existence – as Charles Gardner eloquently expounds in his article this week .

Though Israeli PM Netanyahu and Palestinian President Abbas have been invited to attend the conference's conclusion, Netanyahu has refused this invitation on principle, stating: "This conference is a fraud, a Palestinian scam under French auspices, whose goal is to lead to the adoption of additional anti-Israeli positions".³ Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman has called the summit "a modern-day Dreyfus trial".⁴

70 nations will be present at the summit, prompting some biblical speculation.

The present American embassy in Israel, Tel Aviv. See Photo Credits.American Betrayal

Earlier this week, Washington confirmed that John Kerry will be in attendance, as part of his last foreign trip as Secretary of State.⁵ Relations between Israel and the US have been at an all-time low since UNSC Resolution 2334 was passed last month. Obama's clear involvement in this surfaced soon after, in what many are calling a deep betrayal of the long-standing friendship between the US and Israel.

These diplomatic tensions are being worsened by the current outcry against Donald Trump both within and outside of the USA, as he has so far refused to rescind his promise to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Indeed, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday, the day before the Paris conference, as part of a campaign to stop Trump's 'explosive' plan.⁶

Israel's Last Chance?

All this is coming at a particularly vulnerable time for Israelis, who are still recovering from the terror attack last week in Jerusalem, when a lorry was driven deliberately into a group of IDF soldiers.

Israeli officials have predicted that the chain of international events currently unfolding will undermine Netanyahu's leadership and incite further Palestinian violence, whilst removing all hope of a 'two-state solution'.

As if to confirm this, a top adviser to the Palestinian President has told The Jerusalem Post that the Paris conference is Israel's 'last chance' to accept such a 'solution'.⁷ In a veiled threat, he implied that if Israel does not bow to the pressure being loaded upon them by the world, they will be solely responsible for the breakdown of the peace process and any violence that might ensue.

This will be no gathering for the sake of peace - no matter how it might be billed.

Unfolding Rapidly

Events are moving quickly. The week ahead looks set to be momentous – with the Sunday summit feeding into a further convening of the UN on Israel/Palestine matters on Tuesday 17 January.

The World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, where global leaders meet annually to discuss the world's future in both open and closed meetings, also begins on Tuesday, whilst Trump's inauguration is set for Friday 20 January.

There is certainly no time like the present for Christians to turn to the word of God for guidance, hope and encouragement in prayer! But what are we to expect – and how are we to pray?

Watch and Pray – But How?

We know that in general terms, those who seek to harm Israel do so at their peril – for they risk bringing Divine retribution upon themselves. This is an eternal principle set out in Scripture (e.g. Gen 12:3), the grim reality of which has been confirmed time and again through history.

The Bible is also very clear that at the end of days there will be a special, global revolt against Israel (e.g. Zech 12-14, Rev 16, Jer 25), with many nations assembling together to attack Jerusalem. This will be part of the Lord's judgment - and part of an inevitable chain of events foretold in Scripture that lead directly to the return of Jesus Messiah.

Joel 3:1-2 specifies that these nations will historically have had a hand in scattering Jews into exile and dividing up the Lord's land. However, the siege will be directed against Zion (Jerusalem), implying that the City at the centre of it all will remain under (or eventually be restored to) Israeli control: "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves" (Zech 12:2-3).

The eternal principle set out in Scripture is that those who seek to harm Israel do so at their peril.

Though the nations conspire together, however, the timings of this final onslaught are completely in the hands of the Lord God. Psalm 2 is a wonderful psalm for regaining this heavenly perspective ("Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?...The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them...").

As Christians watching keenly the events currently happening on the world stage, we must pray that the Lord will accomplish his purposes fully at this time, using the instability and the great evil abroad in the world to bring as many into the Kingdom as possible. We should pray blessing on the people of Israel – and seek to support them in more tangible ways. And we might pray that Britain will work for Israel's best interests in all our diplomatic endeavours, instead of paying lip service to her one day and betraying her the next.

A Final Warning – and a Hope

Finally, we can all take heed of the warning in Zephaniah 2, given to those nations that would come against Israel. This is the very same chapter that prophesies the emptying of Gaza and the final destruction of Canaan, the land of the Philistines (from whence we get our modern terms 'Palestine' and 'Palestinian'). The warning is this:

Gather yourselves together...Before the decree is issued, before the day passes like chaff, before the Lord's fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord's anger comes upon you! Seek the Lord, all you meek of the Earth who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger.

References

1 A draft closing statement for the conference was leaked by Haaretz earlier this week. Full text available here.

2 Berkowitz, Biblical Origins of the 70-Nation Anti-Israel Paris Conference. Breaking Israel News, 5 January 2017.

3 Ravid, B. Netanyahu: Paris Peace Conference Is Rigged by Palestinians Under French Auspices. Haaretz, 12 January 2017.

4 Ynet News, Associated Press. Abbas hopes Paris summit ends settlements. 27 December 2016.

5 AFP, Kerry to attend Mideast peace conference in Paris. Times of Israel, 11 January 2017.

6 Lazaroff, T. Abbas to meet Pope Francis in advance of Paris parley. The Jerusalem Post, 11 January 2017.

7 Rasgon, A. Palestinians put hope in Paris conference as possible 'last chance' for two-states. The Jerusalem Post, 3 January 2017.

Echoes of 1930s as May government betrays Israel.

There is a great spiritual battle raging for the soul of the West.

These are dangerous days for the USA and for Britain. Both are seeing an unprecedented level of social and political unrest. Both have had national referendums, democratically conducted. But both are now seeing these democratic resolutions challenged.

In the US, Donald Trump is said to be the most unpopular choice of President in living memory and street protests against his election have been taking place in cities across the country. More than 4 million people have signed petitions calling upon the Electoral College to reverse the decision of the people and appoint Hillary Clinton as President-elect.

Technically this could happen. Donald Trump is not yet President-elect: he has been nominated by vote of the people, but it is the Electoral College that actually makes the appointment of President-elect. They meet on 19 December 2016, when the representatives from the states who are committed to vote for Donald Trump could, in theory, change their minds and vote for Hillary Clinton on the grounds that she won the popular vote.¹ These rebel delegates would incur a personal fine if they did this, although there will be plenty of Democrats only too willing to pay their fine. But it is highly unlikely that this will happen, despite the petition and despite the vehemence of the street protests.

In a similar way, the Lib Dems in Britain, backed by Tony Blair, are campaigning for a second referendum to overturn the decision taken on 23 June this year, which they do not like. They want to remain in the European Union regardless of its restrictions upon national sovereignty. It is strange that a Party that has always championed democracy is now seeking to undermine democracy and to defy the will of the people.

UK and US Similarities

There are many similarities between the situation in the USA and that in Britain. This was perceived by Donald Trump during his campaign when he said that the outcome of the vote would be "Brexit plus plus plus". No doubt this is the reason why, as part of his celebrations, he invited Nigel Farage as the first British politician to meet him. There are strong similarities between the US presidential election and Brexit. In both cases, evangelical Christians played a large part in the outcome. I cannot prove this statistically, although one report from the States estimates that as many as 80% of white evangelical voters chose Trump.²

Both the USA and Britain are experiencing unprecedented levels of social and political unrest.

Christians in the US are happy that the Vice President-elect, Mike Pence, is a committed Christian and they are praying that Donald Trump will also commit his life to the Lord. They voted for him, not because they thought he was a good man, but because they believed that in some way God was going to use him to break the dominance of the secular humanist liberal elite that has been driving America for decades. And this is very similar to the motives of British Christians who voted for Brexit in order to get Britain out of the increasingly evil influences of the EU.

Battle for the Soul of the West

Many Christians on both sides of the Atlantic have a sense that a great spiritual battle is raging over our nations that is essentially a battle for the soul of the West, which has been witnessing its centuries of biblical heritage rapidly draining away under the impact of a toxic mixture of Marxism, secularism, humanism and Satanism. What is becoming abundantly clear is that this is not a battle against flesh and blood but against what Paul aptly described as "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

There is a desperate need today for committed Christians who understand the times in which we are living and who are able to engage in prayer that is directed by a clear understanding of the nature of the battle; and who are also willing to be witnesses to the truth in their sphere of influence, so that the word of God is directed into the life of the nations both at a grassroots level and into the arteries of power.

In order to gain the level of understanding required for the incredible times in which we are living, we need Godly revelation. This was something of which Moses had foresight. At a critical point in his life, with half a million people to feed in the desert, he cried out to God that he just couldn't carry on. God appointed 70 elders to share the burden of leadership and the Spirit of God came upon them so that they prophesied (Num 11:24-25). God had already given Moses a definition of prophecy as declaring the word of God [being his mouthpiece] (Ex 4:5-16).

Moses then expressed a wish that has prophetic significance for our day. He said "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets" (Num 11:29). That is what we greatly need today – all God's people knowing the word of God and having the ability to declare it openly among their friends and neighbours, and more widely when they have the opportunity.

Christians on both sides of the Atlantic have a sense that a great spiritual battle is raging over our nations - a battle for the soul of the West.

Need for Divine Strength

There are many stories in the Bible showing how, when those with leadership responsibilities got to the end of their strength and cried out to God, miracles happened. It happened with Moses several times. It also happened with King Jehoshaphat, who realised that the tiny army of Judah could not face the vast army coming against him. He led the whole nation in prayer that ended with a cry for help "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" (2 Chron 20:12).

The response from God was "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's." It is when we admit our powerlessness to deal with the situation that God is able to take over and exercise supernatural power. St Paul found this many times in his own life when God said to him "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). Paul's own testimony was "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10).

For Those in Power...

It is this divine strength that is needed by our leaders in these testing days, but it is not easy for politicians to express weakness. This is where they need the prayer support of Christians who understand the times. We should be giving special prayer covering to the meeting of the Electoral College in America on 19 December and the inauguration of the new President on 20 January 2017.

We should also be praying for Prime Minister Theresa May in Britain and all the politicians and civil servants who are engaged in the negotiations to get Britain out of the European Union. This is already a giant spiritual battle in the heavenlies and on the ground in Brussels and other European capitals. But if the battle is God's, it is more than possible that he will do something spectacular in Europe before the completion of the Brexit negotiations! Right now, the greatest need is to mobilise prayer among Christians.

There is a desperate need today for Christians of understanding and wisdom, who are able to pray strategically and witness to the truth in their sphere of influence.

References

1 Forster, K. Hillary Clinton voters call on Electoral College members to stop Donald Trump. The Independent, 17 November 2016.

2 Bailey, SP. White evangelicals voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, exit polls show. Washington Post, 9 November 2016.

Clifford Hill asks: why?

Donald Trump's election as the 45^th President of the United States has been hailed as the greatest political upset in the country's 240-year history. But what is its significance? Opinion is sharply divided. Is this the death of democracy, or the start of a new era of prosperity and justice in the USA? Trump has no political experience; he is a businessman used to hiring and firing and exercising autocratic rule. How will he manage as head of state?

This is just one of a multitude of unknowns, with commentators across the political spectrum speculating about what the unexpected result might mean for freedom, justice, peace, the economy, the environment and a host of other hot topics.

President Hollande of France, on hearing the news of Trump's election said that the world is entering a time of great uncertainty. This contrasted Theresa May's message of congratulation in which she looked forward to working closely with the new President and refreshing the 'special relationship' between Britain and the US.

Champion of the Forgotten?

Trump's numerous references to Brexit during his turbulent campaign struck a similar note to that of the 'Leave' campaign in Britain. And, just as Remainers in Britain are continuing to oppose Brexit, so too the Democrats are demonstrating against the President-elect.

Trump's anti-establishment pronouncements appealed to the disconnected, the alienated and the powerless – to those who felt that they were the forgotten underclass who didn't matter to the privileged elite. This is just what happened in Britain, where people felt alienated from the lawmakers of Brussels and wanted the freedom to make our own laws. Both Brexit and Trump appealed to the disenfranchised masses.

Trump's anti-establishment pronouncements appealed to the disconnected, the alienated and the powerless.

Student protest at University of Connecticut, Wednesday. See Photo Credits.But isn't this exactly what Jesus did? Read Matthew 23 where Jesus addressed the crowds warning them against the religious authorities who "tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them" (Matt 23:4). Jesus said some outrageous things about the rulers in his day, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous...You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell?" (Matt 23:29-33).

The crowds of ordinary people loved Jesus and followed him everywhere he went. It was the authorities who hated him and who eventually crucified him, even manipulating a crowd to condemn him. But the ordinary people who were suffering oppression and injustice at the hands of the powerful elite - the poor who struggled to feed their families and felt powerless in a system that benefited only the rich – they all heard the words of Jesus with joy!

Trump's Messianic Appeal

Now, before you pick up stones to throw at me, please hear me out! I'm not likening Trump to Jesus! I'm looking at the situation in the nations today and looking for some biblical precedents. The Bible shows many similarities between Jesus and the Prophet Jeremiah. He was told that there were many things in the nation that had to be "uprooted, torn down, destroyed and overthrown" before there could be any creative building up in the national life (Jer 1:10). Jesus had a similar message. They both warned of coming disaster upon the nation unless there was radical change.

Despite all his vulgarities and obnoxious statements, Trump has had a 'messianic' appeal to the crowds in America who feel disenfranchised and forgotten by those who control the system. The vote for Trump was a vote against the 'establishment'; it was a vote for change, primarily among blue-collar workers and so-called 'middle America'. They are bitterly disappointed with Obama who promised so much change, but after his eight years in power they feel worse off than before.

Despite all his vulgarities and obnoxious statements, Trump has had a 'messianic' appeal to those who feel disenfranchised and forgotten.

It is this same anti-establishment spirit that is spreading across Europe today and will eventually lead to the break-up of the European Union. Protest groups in each of the EU nations are rising in support and significance, as will probably be seen in the Presidential election in Austria next month. But the protest movements do not only have political and social significance, they also have implications for the moral and spiritual future of the Western nations in a day when the threat from both secular humanism and Islam is rising.

Biblical Hopes

Most evangelical Christians in Britain have welcomed Brexit as providing an opportunity to re-emphasise basic biblical values, moral and spiritual, that have been neglected in recent decades under the impact of the secular humanist social revolution. So too evangelical Christians in America - while disliking Trump as a man - have embraced the opportunity for change!

Already, two Christian organisations, Family Watch and the National Organisation for Marriage, have welcomed the new President and outlined their expectations which include:

• the appointment of judges to the US Supreme Court, who will reverse rulings on same-sex marriage and enact laws to protect the unborn child, reversing Obama's policy of easy abortions right up to birth;
• the change of Obama's gender identity directive allowing public toilets to be used according to felt gender identity;
• the reversal of Obama's policy of coercing other countries into accepting same-sex marriage as a condition of receiving US aid;
• the appointment of a Presidential Commission to examine the harmful effects on public health of internet pornography.

If changes of this nature take place during a Trump presidency, many Christians will feel justified in having voted for him. But it does seem strange that an autocratic billionaire becomes the champion of the poor and a self-confessed immoral, racist bigot becomes a 21^st-Century social reformer carrying the expectations of the moral majority! What a strange world we live in!!

Perhaps Most Importantly...

But why has God allowed Trump to triumph? Could there be a deeper reason that has nothing to do with Trump's moral promises, or America not being ready for a female President (as some commentators have said)? Hillary Clinton not only represented the status quo – the political elite who have dominated Washington for decades – but she and her husband were advocates of the Two-State solution to the problems of Israel and the Palestinians, which would reduce still farther the tiny piece of land occupied by the Jewish state. For the Palestinians, such a reduction would only be a step towards the total annihilation of Israel – their ultimate objective, backed by all the Arab states.

Trump has publicly stated his intention of moving the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognising Israel's historic right to the land of their forefathers. The word of God states unequivocally the promise given to Abraham "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Gen 12:2).

With events in the Middle East moving dangerously towards an Arab conflict with Israel, to have an American President who is a friend of Israel could be extremely significant for the future of world events.

An American President who is a friend of Israel could be extremely significant for the future of world events.

Call to Prayer

Yes, as President Hollande said, we are undoubtedly moving into times of great uncertainty. Surely the greatest need among Christians is to study the word of God to understand the times, and increase our commitment to prayer – praying for our leaders, upholding our brothers and sisters and covering our nations.

Our American correspondent, Linda Louis-VanReed, shares her response to the election result.

"Such a beautiful and important evening! The forgotten man and woman will never be forgotten again. We will all come together as never before." – Donald Trump (Twitter)

In the early morning hours of 8 November 2016, I sat in front of my computer listening to Donald Trump address a crowd in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the DeVos Place Convention Center, on his last stop of the campaign trail in his bid for the office of President of the United States. As his promises of real hope and much-needed change rang through the hall, the camera panned the crowd of 18,000 people from this primarily working class community who had come to cheer him on at 1am. I listened, then closed my eyes and prayed for any small chance that those promises could become true.

In the early morning hours of 9 November 2016, in an unparalleled feat of sheer audacity by the American voting public, Donald Trump once again stood behind a podium – this time as President-elect of the United States of America.

Unlike any other president I have watched accept his call to office, Donald Trump brought not only his family, his running mate and his campaign manager to the stage - he brought his entire staff and security, and publicly thanked each and every one by name. Joining him in this great moment were political luminaries Rudolph Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Senator Jeff Sessions and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, who, when given the microphone by Mr Trump, publicly thanked God for the people's choice.

Thank God, indeed!

For the past ten years, the people of the US and the UK appear to have been set on a fast-track toward being melded into a one-world government, governed by a paradigm that tells us we are not 'progressive' enough, that conservatism is dead and so is our God, that our idea of freedom is wrong-headed, and that our influence and cultural contributions must be ignored and abated at the peril of slowing the globalist utopia for which we all must strive if we are to continue to be relevant in the 21^st Century. But what are some of the realities of this global worldview?

For the past ten years, the people of the US and the UK appear to have been set on a fast-track toward being melded into a one-world government.

A Global Worldview

Most people do not have a clear understanding of the realities of globalism. It seems the common narrative stems from what the media has delivered to us – globalism as a way in which everyone in the world can end division and come together as one, to help one another prosper and become 'better' people. What they do not understand is that for globalism to exist, certain conditions must be met.

The first condition is that the concept of God must die. We must become 'enlightened' and realise that this life on this planet is all there is and all that is possible. We must believe we are all 'accidental' beings, not intentionally created by a superior Being.

When we remove God, it is the same as removing the concept of 'zero.' In arithmetic, the existence of 'zero' acts as the centre point that creates value for all the other numbers, whether they are +1 or -9. Without the zero, numbers have no reference point or concrete value.

God acts as our 'zero' point, if you will. Because God exists, we have value, we have a referent for ultimate truth - and therefore, we also have moral reference. Without moral reference there is no direction for the guidance of either family or society.

Freedom Without God?

When we acknowledge God, we are able to experience true freedom as we walk in relation to his Being, his Truth. Our freedom comes from this relationship. But without God, the burden for moral parameters falls upon man. Without God, there is no 'zero' point to give us value, so our morals and personal values become situationally relative.

According to those who denounce the need for moral referents, situational relativism should produce ultimate freedom. Every human should be 'free' to act in any way he/she wishes, being responsible only for his/her individual sense of value and freedom. But deprived of any moral referents, man's thoughts and actions fluctuate constantly, fomenting instability.

When there is instability there can be no peace. Therefore, the only way to achieve peace is to create a referent. A created referent or moral base must be established either by populist whim (which is constantly in flux) or by a decree from a self-installed 'elite'. For the globalist, a populist/democratic rule is far too unpredictable and potentially unenlightened to be sustainable and/or sufferable.

Globalism is presented as a way in which everyone in the world can end division and come together as one, to help one another prosper. But it requires certain conditions, incuding the removal of God.

Because of this process, the whole goal of globalism becomes primarily peace through control. The equation is simple: God's absolute moral referent allows for freedom. Freedom allows for individuality. Individuality causes differences. Differences breed conflict. Conflict is viewed as being 'bad'. Therefore, individuality is a source of conflict and must be eliminated. To eliminate individuality, you must eliminate freedom.

Homogeneity of thought, speech, belief and action must be established. Choices that are voluntary in a free society become enforced in a global society. This is not about enlightenment, it's about enforcement. Genuine tolerance is replaced by rhetoric of tolerance, and that rhetoric is then replaced by a tolerance 'range'.¹

The question is, how much freedom and individuality can a 'global' society tolerate to presumably ensure peace?

Those who are attacking the police are not fighting for social justice. Ultimately, they are creating a police state for themselves. Those who attack free speech are not freeing the oppressed from labels and hurtful jargon. They are destroying their own freedom to express their own opinions.

A New World Order

Once all of our freedoms are brought under global control, we will have a new world order, free from religion, individual expression or thought. There will be a ruling class, and it will not be us. Marx understood this. Lenin understood this. Saul Alinsky understood this. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a student of both Karl Marx and Saul Alinsky, and a self-declared globalist, understands this. For almost 40 years she has fought to make for herself a place at the table, no matter what, or who, it costs.

Donald Trump, a man who was raised in and has heavily contributed to the success of America's free-market society, who apparently sees the dangers of globalism, may well think differently.

In spite of what we may think about him personally, Donald Trump has made it clear that he still believes in an America that is great because its people have made it that way. He believes the American people are more than 'workers' and 'eaters.' He believes in the value of the small business, the creative mind, the inventive spirit. It is in his, and our, best interests to protect us from enemies, both foreign and domestic, and I believe he may well do his best to do just that. I believe he will enable us to grow closer with the UK and Israel, and together we will be an inspiration for the rest of the world.

I do not know if, as some assert, Donald Trump has become a Christian. I do not know him personally, nor do I know his family. But I can say this – when, in the early hours of the morning on 9 November 2016, Mr Donald J Trump stood behind that podium before an elated crowd, and with tears in his eyes, opened his arms wide and said, "I love this country!", that man meant every word. It felt as if, once again, America has a President. It's been a long time.

The whole goal of globalism is peace through control.

What We Can Do, Together

...but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:31)

We live in a unique time in history – a time when both America and Britain have witnessed our Father God lift his hand in mercy on our respective nations, to give us the courage we needed to make both Brexit and the populist demand for a Trump presidency, realities.

Now, the work begins for all of us. The US, the UK and Israel must bind together in faith, each of us, as individuals, pursuing and deepening our personal relationships with God, so that we might continue to stand for as long as our Father would ask of us. We cannot just declare our commitment - we must become it. The world is watching.

All glory to our God of second chances.

References

1 A scope of behaviours that are deemed acceptable by those in power, outside of which modification is required.

American voters are facing an extremely difficult and important decision. Clifford Hill comments on how they might discern God's will - and how we can support them.

All my American friends are saying the same thing – who do we vote for? Never in the history of the USA has it been so difficult to make a choice – both candidates are seriously flawed. Voters feel they are between a rock and a hard place, or between the devil and the deep blue sea. Many committed Christians I've spoken to say they are not going to vote at all because both Clinton and Trump are so awful!

Allegations of Corruption

The US press has been full of negative accounts about both presidential candidates. Hillary Clinton has been accused of misusing her personal email account for state business when she held high office in the Obama administration. She has also been accused of being involved, together with her husband, in a huge amount of personal corruption in which they have made vast fortunes.

Trump has been accused of refusing to reveal his tax returns which allegedly show that he has hired clever accountants to hide his vast income successfully, meaning that he has paid relatively little in tax. So both candidates are mired in allegations of corruption.

Both candidates are mired in allegations of corruption.

Politically Disturbing

On the political front, Trump has a history of discrimination against African-Americans in renting his property and in employment in his enterprises. He also has made many statements in his speeches indicating prejudice against non-Americans and a xenophobic attitude, such as his declaration that he will build a wall to prevent Mexicans entering the USA illegally, and his promise to ban Muslim immigrants.

Preparations are underway for the second presidential debate, to be held this Sunday in St Louis. See Photo Credits.Hillary Clinton is highly distrusted by conservative voters because of her strong liberal views on abortion and same-sex marriage, as well as her support for the LGBT campaign to allow public toilets to be used by either gender (including the extending of this into state schools, which will allow boys to use the girls' toilets). She is also known to support a wide range of measures that discriminate against Christians who take a stand upon biblical principles.

Voter Indecision

It is these issues of personal corruption and unpopular political measures surrounding both candidates (and many other concerns beside) that are causing such anxiety and uncertainty among voters. Polls currently show Clinton having a small lead over Trump, although some polls show them to be level. But most significantly, recent polls also indicate that as many as 12% are presently still undecided,¹ due to the unpopularity of both candidates. Many of these may not cast their votes at all.

But voter apathy could spell disaster for America. If electors are so alienated by the choice of politicians being offered to the public by the two main parties, voter turnout will be low. This not only undermines the whole process of democracy; it also has a negative impact upon the spiritual life of the nation. That may sound a strange thing to say, but it is based upon a major spiritual principle – the sovereignty of God.

Voter apathy and indecision could spell disaster for America.

God's Sovereignty

Most Christians don't really understand the 'sovereignty of God' because very little is taught about it in our churches and we don't really like verses in the Bible that speak about it. Take a look at two key verses:

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. (Ps 46:8)

I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isa 45:7)

Does God really create disaster? Surely not! Isn't he a God of love? So why does the Bible tell us that God creates disaster?

Justice as well as love is part of the nature of God, which the prophets of Israel recognised. But they also knew that God held the nations in his hands 'as a drop in a bucket', which was Isaiah's description (Isa 40:15). Isaiah said that God "brings princes to nought and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing" (Isa 40:23). In other words, God is completely in control – everything that happens, he either allows or initiates.

Our Acknowledgement Aside!

The same is true of our individual lives, even if we don't acknowledge his sovereignty. Cyrus, the Persian ruler, had no knowledge of God but God used him to overthrow the Babylonian Empire and allow the captive Jews to go back to the land of Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. God actually called Cyrus his 'anointed one'! He said "I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honour, though you do not acknowledge me" (Isa 45:4).

Understanding the 'sovereignty of God' is of immense importance if we are to know what God is doing today and if we wish to pray with wisdom about what's happening, not only in our individual lives but also in our nation. Understanding God's purposes and how he is working out those purposes in the contemporary world situation is of great importance.

God is completely in control – everything that happens, he either allows or initiates.

Asking for God's Guidance

Prayer changes things. And when many Christians combine to pray about what's happening, they can actually influence the course of history. This has happened recently in Britain on two occasions: the Scottish Referendum, where a huge amount of prayer called upon the Lord to save the British Union; and the June Referendum on our membership of the European Union, which was preceded by prolonged prayer both by individuals and by a large number of gatherings of Christians. They called upon the Lord to guide the nation to the right decision.

Even some politicians who wanted Britain to remain in the European Union, such as our new Prime Minister Theresa May, are now recognising that a new dawn is opening up before the nation, that could lead to a time of unprecedented prosperity and blessing. But this will only occur if we truly seek the ways of righteousness and truth.
The same could happen in America if the American people surround the nation in prayer so that God can work out his purposes.

Praying Wisely

God can work out his purposes one way or another; even if he has to allow what appears to be a disaster. God often has to use disasters in our personal lives or in the life of a nation in order to bless us – to turn us from the wrong path, to change our hearts or to give us a deeper experience of his grace!

This is why it is so important for Christians to pray in the right way – asking the Lord to guide them in placing their vote – not according to party allegiance or personal prejudice. The right prayer is to ask the Lord that his will be done. Then, whatever the outcome, God will work out his purposes for good, and not for evil.

When many Christians combine to pray, they can change the course of history.

Whatever happens in America affects the rest of the world, especially Britain with its historic ties. We urge our readers to pray for America: pray that God will guide America's believing Christians who feel alienated from both candidates and show them how to use their vote.

References

1 Stokes, C. EXCLUSIVE POLL: Democrat Hillary Clinton opens up double-digit Michigan lead on GOP's Donald Trump. WXYZ Detroit, 6 October 2016.