prayer for the global financial crisis
October 9th, 2008
Many economic and financial experts have been forecasting this financial meltdown and have often been unheeded or branded as irrational or doomsayers. Even preachers and prophets have declared the same. Here is something I received from a friend, some excerpts from an article by David Wilkerson from a decade back: “America’s Golden Calf is Going Down!”:
“. . .Beloved, America is facing God’s judgment–and we will never be the same! In the days to come, literally hundreds of thousands of Americans will lose their homes. Why? They’ve leveraged them with equity loans, so they could play the stock market and try to strike it rich!
I tell you, the stock market has become America’s golden calf! People see it as a financial savior, and they worship it daily–trusting in it, depending on it, giving it all their energy and attention. But it’s going to fall suddenly–and none of the small, individual investors will be spared. They’ll suffer the most, losing their homes, their cars–everything!
I must ask you: “Are you prepared for what is coming? If not, are you acting now to get ready? When I speak of being ready, where do your thoughts take you? Do you think immediately of investments, bank accounts, survival plans, safety for your family?”
Yet, I believe it is much more important today for American Christians to focus on spiritual preparation–before the coming storm hits. Let me tell you why.
I believe that when the coming storm hits with full fury, and the nation is reeling with panic and fear, people will flee all false gospels and feel-good churches. Christians will forget about gospel entertainment and Christian TV, and they’ll start demanding hard truth. They’ll flock to hear godly pastors, demanding the true Word of God. Their cry will be, “Who will preach to us a prophetic, life-changing word?”
Sadly, many charismatic Christians today talk much about being Spirit-filled–but they are totally bankrupt of truth. They’re not intimate with Christ–and so they don’t know how to draw on His strength in truth. They don’t tremble at the truth of His Word. They don’t know how to walk in His resurrection power or live wholly dependent on Him. Instead, they twist, manipulate, and misinterpret His Word to accommodate their flesh.
Many pastors and evangelists today have no interest in seeking the Spirit of truth. They think they can call on the Holy Ghost at any time to come down and sweep away all the powers of hell. But these people won’t be prepared for the dark times that are coming?
The only manifestations we’ll see when the storm hits will be men and women falling to their knees in awe and fear of God. They’ll be slain by the piercing, convicting, soul-cleansing preaching that comes from the Spirit of truth.
Indeed, today–while most of America focuses on its prosperity–God is waking a holy remnant in the church. These saints are on their faces, seeking Him with all their strength and crying out for a true Word from the Spirit of truth.
In recent months, our ministry has received hundreds of letters from pastors and believers who are repulsed by most of what they see in the church: hype, foolishness, entertainment, shallow preaching. They’re crying out, “Enough! We’re tired of seeing our pastors go to conventions and return only to introduce come new gimmick. We’re sick of seeing the flesh accommodated. We’re hungry for truth! We want to hear preaching that convicts us and challenges us to holiness and prayer.”
Believer, you can rest assured–in the coming days of calamity, the true revival won’t come through showboating, big-time preachers or TV evangelists. It won’t come through prosperity teachings or other doctrines of false security. No–God’s revival will come through a hidden company of pastors and lay people who have been in the school of Christ, learning His ways and trusting in Him. These will lead a revival of truth!
Yet not everyone is going to want truth. Many will turn to unbridled lust. Indeed, our society could see Sodom replayed a hundred times over. But, as our nation poises on the brink of chaos, many Americans will begin to seek truth, answers, life.
As for me, I want to face the coming times as ” . . . a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” II Timothy 2:15
I urge you: Ask the Lord to prepare you–His way–for the day “America’s golden calf” comes down. Seek His Spirit of truth in your secret closet. Learn to recognize His voice above all the worldly clamor going on in His church. Then you’ll truly be prepared to face the coming storm.
———————————————————————
David Wilkerson is founder of Teen Challenge, Inc., the worldwide Christian drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministry. He is the author of The Cross and the Switchblade, and many other books. David and his wife, Gwen, live in New York City, where he serves as senior pastor of Times Square Church.
I have been meditating on the following passage in Mark for some time now. And I can see that this prayer is an appropriate prayer for people inside and outside the financial systems of the world, blind and in desperate need, to pray:
“Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus(that is, the Son of timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10: 46-47)
“JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!”
And let me add this Anglican prayer which is currently getting a lot of hits during this economic tsunami:
Lord God, we live in disturbing days,
across the world,
prices rise,
debts increase,
banks collapse,
jobs are taken away,
and fragile security is under threat.
Loving God, meet us in our fear and hear our prayer:
be a tower of strength amidst the shifting sands,
and a light in the darkness;
help us receive your gift of peace,
and fix our hearts where true joys are to be found,
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Entry Filed under: Prayer
I think I disagree with the Wilkerson’s introduction. It is like Job’s friends pouring scorn on Job, believing that he was being punished.
Whether or not America deserves to be punished, for actions of a portion of its people, we know that Christian and non-Christian alike, people inside or outside of America are affected by this economic disaster. The key I feel should be how we continue to seek God in good times or bad. (see Job 1: 20-22)
As Elihu said that people should not quickly condemn if they can not find anyway to refute. It also seems consistent with the character of God to provide a way out of destruction for people who repent - Noah and his family, Lot and his family minus wife, even Nineveh (who were not considered “God’s chosen people”). Therefore I would be cautious before generalising the American population as deserving an economic disaster for worshipping a golden calf.
Other than that, I agree with his assessment of the contemporary charismatic church.
Welcome to comments, please correct me if I’m wrong.
Troubled that some pastors would try to claim credit for predicting a “Black Swan” event. This is like Al Gore and the looming global warming - he would probably be right in the next 30-50 years when the bio-ecology goes beyond tipping point due to environment degradation for human biology - probably be a boom time for viruses, bacteria and algae when the human speciies goes extinct.
When convention fails, mavericks are in demand! (Secular and Pastoral world alike)
The current Finance and Credit Crisis will no doubt bring different set of challenges to all of us - some will prosper and many will suffer.
I think the Christian walk is about having faith in your guide and having the ability to continue living abundantly (not on a unidimensional material level as now).
Recall that Yancey saying “often good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people,” - It is all in the general will of God - it will be done.
I personally have experienced ‘bad things’ long time past that have become blessings in the past few years.
Have to refecting on Matt 8: 23-27.
My thought is:
Dont worry and continue seeking the Kingdom at every opportunity. His Will, would always prevail.
Looking at the state of Christianity in Singapore as a whole. perhaps the only thing that can save Singapore, is 1) a return to the Word of God or 2) persecution of some sort (e.g. disaster, financial crisis, etc) May God have mercy.
I was just discussing the economic situation with a friend who is working as an analyst and he said that he expects it to be worse than 911… he hope it will not be as bad as the 1930 great depression. The problem is that this time round, the financial mess appears to be systematic… so it is likely to be more serious then the other market crashes in recent years.
My personal feel after reading the post. Is it not true that most people now are too preoccupied with getting rich? It is not just Christians but the entire human race from every corner of this world.
But hey, God is God and there is only 1 God who is God and Father to the entire human race - not just Christians.
Well, I would not say that the crisis we are facing is a punishment from God.
I would think that this is a wake up call from God to all of us that we being rich is not our main focus. Searching God, hearing His words and doing His will should be our main focus in life. For only true disciples who hear and act on His words will enter the Kingdom of God (MT 7:21-27).
He wants to save us all and do not want us to become what LK 8:14 describe: “As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and never produce any crops.”
Well, being rich is never the finished work of God. A charitable person is. 1Jn 4:8 says “Whoever fails to love does not know God, because God is love.”
So, let’s learn something from this crisis and seek the true meaning of being a Christians. Not seek money and riches and tempted by evil.
Money is important but trust in God and His providence is the MOST important.
Just my 2 cents worth.
i wonder if we would we see churches who are in debt go bankrupt?
Hi Joel,
Some SGX companies have gone bellyup today - anybody who exist because of credit availability is in danger.
A highly leveraged church building project depending on tithes from members who may be losing employment would definitely become a candidate for bankruptcy.
Prudency is the watchword in these times - debts dependent on credit access is not sustainable
There was a time when the cultivation of virtue was the purpose of a society. The values of a society were bigger than its economic growth index. Commerce and Industry, although important, were only by-products of man-in-society.
Journeyman talks about prudence (which is a virtue). My hope is that we will learn something of communal virtue from this greed driven economic crisis.
Our luxuries have become needs. God save us all!
Hi BB,
Agree with you we need community based virtues - unfortunately, Christian do not appear to statistically and significantly differenet from the general community.
I think this indicates to me that our current religious practice is irrelevant as we are still the same as the community we are in.
Shame on all of us for our piousness, for they seem to have no effect on our walk.
Greed and Fear are the most efficient allocators of economic resources.
The danger is being a slave to either.
Referring to a prophecy in 2004… seems to be coming true 4 years later.
http://www.psa91.com/bush.htm
“The frog in the well looks up and thinks it is the sky.” O Men and Woman of little faith, short sightedness, and small-minded vision! When will you see what is not and yet can be? First of all, let’s begin again with reference to David Wilkerson. Really: Is David Wilkerson a “maverick?” I should say not! And, history will prove otherwise! Let’s indeed again read The Cross and the Switchblade, and reflect on what’s transpired over the past 40-50 years since that book’s publication: Wilkerson spearheaded and facilitated the international expansion of Teen Challenge, and pioneered and pastored the famous Times Square Church, which later spawned a number of branch churches around the world, and other ministries. Is Wilkerson a “maverick?” I think not. Wilkerson did not prophesy from any desert tower, or academic tower. He prophesied as a man who earned his stripes in the thick of the inner city poverty and despair. He like so many others, “gave his own blood” in identifying with the sufferings of so many lost at the bottom of America’s social strata. Wilkerson not only sacrificed and suffered, he achieved in creating ministries and structures that brought true social, economic and spiritual redemption to people not only in America but around the world. So, with regards to Wilkerson’s judgments against the American financial system and idolatrous attachments to mammon, he did not prophesy as an outsider but as a true insider! Wilkerson deserves a bit more credit!!!
Second, I’d advice us not to too quickly write off Wilkerson’s judgement, or even that of other “mavericks” and “maverick prophets!” Prophesy often comes through earthen vessels! Yes, many of the minute details might be off; but still: What is the Spirit saying— in principle, through the Spirit of Prophesy? Let me put it this way: At some point, either in the near or distant future, the America will fall as a global superpower. There will be other first world nations around the world which will also fall. Singapore will also fall; the end of this tiny island miracle nation is certain. Come on; even the government does not wince from admitting that the indefinite continuity of Singapore cannot be fully ascertained in the present moment! Why do I know these things will happen? First, because it is the nature of history! Nations rise, and they fall. Kingdoms emerge, and crumble with the blowing of the wind. Some cultures had endured for thousands of years. But the vast majority blazed for a short while; a century or two, and then died.
Third, the Bible says an enduring word for every generation; towards every kingdom and nation that prospers in this present evil age: “”Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! And the kings of the earth, who committed fornication and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning . . . For in one hour your judgment has come. . . And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore . . . “ (Rev 18).
Fourth, the Bible exhorts to “listen” to every national and global crisis, calamity, and adversity as a call towards spiritual prudence; this is called the “Day of the Lord.” Today I listened to a congregational prayer, which was indeed most accurate, befitting, and exemplified the right Christian posture towards the current financial crisis: “It is a wake-up cal that this world’s glory is passing away. . . . “
Fifth, Dear Christians, it amazes me how so often, unbelievers in positions of influence display far more educated concern, alarm, prudence, comprehension, and empathy towards the gravity of such crisis towards the world’s poor and disfranchised throughout the two-thirds world, than we within the church. I am reflecting especially on those working within the IMF, World Bank, other similar bodies. Even more, I continue to find it darkly facinating to note how unbelievers who have been given exposure to the gravity of our historical settings, are just so much deeply aware than Christians, of the present crises threateing the very continuation of both human and non human life on the this planet over the next century; largely because of man’s mismanagement of the earth over the past century and our inability to morally handle the knowledge we have attained. I have actually spoken with Christian ministers over the past several months, who snicker and scoff at the idea of seeing value or need for Christians or Christians ministers to embrace much concern towards matters such as ecological stewardship! I find this mindset most disturbing, alarming, and frightening!
I’ll bring this to a closure. I just reading today, Walter Rauschenbusch’s Christianity and the Social Crisis in the 21st Century. As some of you may know, this book was originally published in 1907 as Christianity and the Social Crisis. Many of you are also aware that Rauschenbusch was the Father of the 20th century Social Gospel movement. Like Wilkerson, many both then and now, have considered Rauschenbusch as a “maverick;” and even as a “false prophet.” Rauschenbusch was theologically liberal; some of his doctrines were weak. Yet somehow, through God’s providential calling, he was raised up as a prophet to the nations. For the truth is that Rauschenbusch was a seasoned senior pastor in the inner city (then called “Hell’s Kitchen,” in New York City), who pastored for years amongst people oppressed by economic exploitation— long before he published his watershed work, Christianity and the Social Crisis. Like Wilkerson, Rauschenbusch physically gave himself to his people; and his health suffered directly as a result of his own ministry to his own congregation. And, as recalled by his great grandson, Paul Rauschenbusch, Rauschenbusch was a most forbearing and forgiving Christian towards his detractors, “a generosity not always returned.” The fact is that that for all its early and original flaws, shortcomings, failures, and doctrinal weaknesses, the Social Gospel Tradition had indeed, through the providential oversight of God’s Spirit, eventually proved highly fruitful towards facilitating numerous social and economic reforms over the past century, beginning in New York where the prophetic ministry of Rauschenbusch was first birthed (e.g., child labour laws, minimum wage, FDR’s New Deal, the civil rights movement, etc).
The truth now, is that we Evangelicals had learned over the past quarter century how much we had dichotomised the Full Gospel, wrongly and falsely dichotomising our focus upon personal redemption from social and economic redemption. Yet we so often did so while at the same time, dismissing the prophetic exhortation the Gospel proclaims to us in our riches: “Be willing to give it up! Let it go! Take your place among the world’s poor and not the rich!” It’s interesting that Rauschenbusch provides such examples as D. L. Moody, the Salvation Army, and early YMCA and YWCA leaders, all of whom who righly held together both the internal and social dynamics of spiritual redemption.
I’ve concluded that has indeed been much misunderstood, particularly by people like Rick Warren who quoted to have once said in his blog, that “Rauschenbusch was a liberal theologian and he basically said we don’t need this stuff about Jesus anymore.” Warren needs to read Rauschenbusch! On the contrary, Rauschenbusch called for a radical listening to Jesus, particularly in his ministry as a prophet, in fully keeping and continuation with the Jewish prophetic tradition.
Now I want to close with fitting quote from the last chapter of Rauschenbusch book, titled, “What to Do”: “The spiritual force of Christianity should be turned against the materialism and mammonism of our industrial and social order. [For] If a man sacrifices his human dignity and self-respect to increase his income, or stunts his intellectual growth and his human affections to swell his bank account, he is to that extent serving mammon and denying God. . . . Religious men have been cowed by the prevailing materialism and arrogant selfishness of our business world. They should have the courage of religious faith and assert that ‘man lieth not by bread alone,’ but by doing the will of God, and that the life of a nation ‘consisteth not in the abundance of things’ which it produces, but in the way men live justly with one another and humbly with their God.”
And finally brothers and sisters, I am compelled to draw attention to the article in today’s paper (The Sunday Times, 12 October 2008) titled, “I, who have nothing.” This is a short write-up about the British born and Buddhist month Ajahn Brahm, whose picture most of us have at some point seen occasionally in the paper or around town. I am not a Buddhist; I am a Christian. But boy, what shame this man brings upon us! He “travels up to 10 times or more a year” all over the world, “people turn up by the thousands to listen to him,” and yet he “does not carry a single penny, has no mobile phone or MP3 player,” and “sleeps on the floor and has one meal a day from his alms bow.” The article mentions that Ajahn Brahm “doesn’t believe religious leaders should be paid a lot of money either.” I think we better listen to this: “How much money did Jesus have? He had nothing. . . . We’re at an economic downturn here and many people are afraid of what might happen if they lose their savings and house, and I can come along and say I’ve never had a house and savings and I can be happen and peaceful If I can do that with nothing, you don’t need to be afraid.” Well, let’s do give the Lord the last word here: “if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? . . . . But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Monte Lee Rice
Perichorus
Hi Monty,
Like your apt analogy of our frog-like characteristics.
Some of our bretheren and sisters may be insulted by by this analogy. They may even take offence at your heretical view that ‘God’s chosen, bible quoting frogs” could be put to shame by a mere buddhist who actually walks his talk.
True prophets are almost never contemprory or popular during their earthly tenure.
If these prophets resonated with some traction, we grudgingly call them mavericks until their views are vindicated sometimes many centuries later.
I think JBJ was completely misunderstood because of his zeal and passion. The demonizing by mainstream media destroyed his frog world. Time will judge but I believe his faith in the implicit rule and supermacy of truth and law will be vindicated.
Went to you website but found the material too cerebral and detached for my little computer - maybe for a dumb kid like me, you should consider posting a kid’s version. Still digesting and reflecting on your posting for the past week.
Shalom
This is truly a distorted or unbalance Christian view of the world today! Do not be quick to judge the charismatics if they know the truth even though he may be right but does he know the truth himself? Does all he know is judgement on America? This crisis is not just on America but on the whole world. God is allowing a shaking up on every facets of life, not just the financial market. Be scriptural and look into the events of the world through Revelation 6 and not make empty talk about others and judging others. God so loved the world, so preach a gospel of love that compels those have yet to know Christ to know Christ now and not judgement and fear!
Pardon me Blogpastor, your quote on Mark 10:46-47 is a mis-quote. If you have checked out the background of this blind man, Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus), you wouldn’t have shouted, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” because it is not applicable and irrelevant. He was under a generation curse but we are not! We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ! We have been called the rigtheousness of God in Christ Jesus! We are His beloved and favoured ones! We are joint heirs with Christ. Therefore how can God NOT be merciful to us, how can God NOT watch over us, His sheeps? Unless and unless we focus not on Jesus and get worried like others who do not know Jesus Christ, then we are no different from those who do not know Jesus.
Just to take some opportunity here to share some thoughts on the other Buddhist monk article. As I read some of the responses, do you mean Christian are learning or should learn from the Buddhist monk? You mean they are better teacher of the Bible? I felt it was shameful for those who responded that they are. Do you mean we need to learn from people who did not call Jesus, Lord, to teach the children of light? That is the saddest day for Christianity!
Similarly, the verses quoted were taken out of context. No one understood that when Jesus spoke those words in Matt 6:19-21 were NOT meant for those who focused their eyes on Jesus and are becoming rich or are already rich. Jesus is saying to those who are working hard for money, never rely on God’s blessing, self-reliant Christian to focus on Him, less he loses his soul for all the wealth he finds in this world. Next, are you saying rich christians found in your church ought to give up their wealth?
Is this applicable to rich megachurches? Well the same question should be asked if their ministries have been focusing on Jesus? If yes, let God bless them! Otherwise if it is out of greed, God will expose them and deal with them. Let God be God and not you be god.
Reject the spirit of jealousy and ask yourself if you have done well for God yourself, instead of sitting there sitting there and putting judgemental thoughts on this blog.