remember

You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?" But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharoah and to all Egypt. You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out.

Deuteronomy 7:17-19

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do not be afraid;

remember...

holy living

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Deuteronomy 4:5-8

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This seems such a contrast to many churches today which push just the opposite - the "unholying down" of our Christianity in order to be able to better relate with and appeal to unbelievers. Consider this as well from the New Testament...

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For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Titus 2:11-14

in chains

"And pray for us, too,

that God may open a door for our message,

so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ,

for which I am in chains."

Colossians 4:3

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A prayer,

not for a change of his own circumstances,

but that the gospel may go out,

even through his circumstances.

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"Thy kingdom come..."

if my people

"If my people

which are called by my name,

will humble themselves

and pray

and seek my face

and turn from their wicked ways,

then

will I hear from heaven

and will forgive their sin

and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

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Too often I think,

at best,

the only part of this we do,

is to pray for the healing of our land.

praying for others

an examle:

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheriatnce of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Colossians 1:9-14

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Worth memorizing, to pray as God brings people to mind.