March 10, 2003 

“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” – Psalms 32:18-19

THE GREAT AMERICAN FEAR; WHAT WE ARE REALLY AFRAID OF - (By Dennis Peacocke, World Net Daily, www.wnd.com, Commentary, February 27, 2003; Used by permission of Business Reform Magazine, www.businessreform.com)  With the dogs of war at our heels, we all have a wonderful opportunity to exercise prayer for people and events beyond ourselves. We have a spiritual responsibility to take inventory on some very basic levels. This current situation affords us the reflective demand of asking ourselves an ultimate kind of question that goes to the core of our being. The question is simply this: What are we truly afraid of? This powerful question, honestly asked and genuinely given to God, affords us the possibility of being taken into some true personal transformation. Let us now raise the "big five" fear factors and see how we do:

FEAR NUMBER ONE: DEATH - This is the giant. If we can get beyond this one, the rest are easier for most people. Fear of death is ultimately based on three things: 1) A fear that there is no life after death; 2) A fear that there is a life after death, and your Creator will punish you or those you love; and 3) A fear of being separated from those you have left behind and what they may have to endure without you to go through it with them. All of these issues ultimately boil down to your view of creation, God, and which of the world's religions the real God is backing. If you are a genuine Christian believer, death, though painful in terms of separation from loved ones, is not the issue. The issue is salvation personally and for others. Death then is not to be feared; rather, it is one's relationship to Christ that is all important.

FEAR NUMBER TWO: DISCOMFORT AND CHANGE - Some people appear to me to be more afraid of suffering or genuine discomfort or a fear of a changed lifestyle rather than of death itself. The movie "Gone with the Wind" comes to mind. Scarlett, and many other Southerners in the film, seemed to fear a complete change more than actually dying for their cause. Fear of pain, suffering, economic loss, etc. can be powerful. It raises another ultimate question: What truly gives me life—my relationship to personal peace and comfort or my relationship to people and principles? It's a great time to ask ourselves this question.

FEAR NUMBER THREE: DISHONOR - Others of us are deathly afraid of being wrong and therefore dishonored. Saving perceived "face," or being honored or perceived to be "important," is a huge idol to many. All of us want to be "liked" by those we care about, but I am talking about something that goes beyond this basic human need. I am talking about a core need that drives people to want to be "right" in virtually all situations and opinions, the loss of which seems to indicate to them some kind of "soul annihilation." Where do we stand here, if I may ask?

FEAR NUMBER FOUR: DEFEAT - For those of us in the United States, in terms of the Iraq situation, this fear could be real for many. What if the price, in terms of loss of life, becomes too great, and the American public and world opinion "force" a negotiated retreat or worse? With all the concern and protest going into this situation, the potential losses of such a retreat would alter the world's political situation, vis-à-vis the U.S., for decades. Besides, Americans don't lose wars, or if we do, it's only because our politicians won't let us win them. Conversely, for the Islamic terrorists, what if they lose in the long run? Is Allah now a myth, or has he turned his back upon those who believe in him? Good questions on many sides. Where do you stand here?

FEAR NUMBER FIVE: DISILLUSIONMENT - Disillusionment, though a gift because it removes any illusion, is a "killer" for many. They would seemingly rather die than see a treasured belief-system shattered by reality. While God-seekers are supposed to bless God for removing their illusions, many times they don't. And those who don't believe in any ultimate, God-centered standards face the greatest potential disillusionment of all when they stand before God's judgment seat. Where are you on this one?

Yes, yes, war, death, discomfort, dishonor, defeat, and disillusionment face us all and should force us to face them squarely as well. Now's a good time, on whatever side of these current events we stand.

(Visit Dennis Peacocke at www.gostrategic.org)

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“I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalm 34:4

“Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” – Psalm 34:9

“He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” – Proverbs 14:26

Let all America fear the lord. Let all the inhabitants of the United States stand in awe of Him. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. (Psalm 33:8, 12)

PRAYWORLD! 2003 CONTINUES THROUGH APRIL 13 - The International Prayer Council invites prayer leaders all over the world to mobilize churches, groups, and individuals for prayer during the forty days leading up to Palm Sunday, March 5 to April 13, 2003. An easy to download and copy 40-day Prayer Guide is available on the “Current Prayer Guides” page at www.ifapray.org or at www.prayworld.org

WE DESIRE YOUR PRAYERFUL SUPPORT!   INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit Christian ministry founded in 1973 which serves the Church of Jesus Christ by encouraging effective prayer and fasting for the Church, our nation, and their leaders. Your support of this ministry is appreciated and vital to our work of “watching unto prayer.” Donations can be mailed to: IFA, P.O. Box 915, Purcellville, VA, 20134. Credit Card donations can be made securely online at www.ifapray.org or by calling toll-free, 1-800-USA-PRAY, (1-800-872-7729)

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ISRAEL / MIDDLE EAST Editorial Team:
Gary Bergel / Brian Miller / Tim Winter / William Lee