One of my prayers for 2017 is that I will grow in the area of discernment. All the “fake news” talk we’ve been hearing about lately isn’t really news for many of us. We’ve known about partisan sites, conspiracy sites, and sensationalist sites forever, but the problem lies in spotting them when they support the very same ideas that I hold so dear. So as one who deeply cares about Truth I’ve been asking God for the spiritual gift of discernment. How amazing it would be to clearly hear the Spirit whisper, “No son… don’t fall for that. It’s a lie”.
I’m also learning that Truth seldom resides at the extremes. C.S. Lewis says, “The Devil sends lies into the world by pairs”, and of course he does it to divide people and communities. The “free will” versus “God’s sovereignty” debate has kept the church tied in knots for centuries. But what about today’s “liberalism” versus “conservatism” debate? Does the Truth reside at the extreme end of either of those worldviews? Lewis suggests that the Truth often lies in the tension of the middle. It’s not that God is mushy in regard to Truth, but he certainly is neither a political conservative nor a liberal. He is the solid reality behind our foggy ideas.
A second prayer commanding my attention is that I will become a peacemaker. In a world so fractured by anger, accusations and finger-pointing we Believers are called to be agents of peace, looking for opportunities to bring healing and grace into each situation. Saint Francis captured it flawlessly in the prayer we’ve treasured for centuries:
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”
Dispatches from the Shadowlands 
What are God’s prayers for 2017, Don?
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Hey Bette! The only constant and ongoing prayer I sense from God’s heart is “Let your Kingdom come, your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” What does He have you praying?
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It’s different every day, Don. Mary said “Whatever he says to do, Do it.” That includes, “Whatever he says to pray, Pray it. Whatever he says to say, Say it. And, wherever he wants to go, Go there.” I went to the Little Theater with a friend the other night, something I very seldom do but apparently the Lord wanted him/me to go. I discovered the opportunity to pray with several people while I was there – some of whom I didn’t even know. To have increased sensitivity to His voice and boldness to obey Him, is my personal prayer. Can you email me? (bettecox@bellsouth.net) I have a specific prayer request I want to share with you about a mutual friend. Blessings, Bette
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