Francis Schaeffer lamented a generation ago that American Christians care mainly for "personal peace and enough affluence to enjoy it." The truth of that statement is the cause of many of our woes.

We must now rally as Christians around the source of our true power, the throne of grace in heaven (Heb. 4:16). If the prayer meetings of Christian churches do not fill in the coming months and years, then James 4:2 will explain the loss of our country.

We must rise up with renewed zeal in taking the gospel message of Jesus Christ to our neighbors. If troubled, we must proclaim Christ. If persecuted we must proclaim Christ. If jailed, we must follow Paul's example by proclaiming Christ. Our pagan neighbor is not primarily our culture-war enemy but a sinner in bondage who needs the loving message of salvation through the grace of Christ.

The startling troubles before us are as much an opportunity as they are a threat, but only if we Christians rise up to our calling as servants of a triumphant gospel in the midst of a sin-broken world. Rick Phillips