{"id":560,"date":"2020-04-24T14:04:27","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T21:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/thepursuitofholiness\/?p=560"},"modified":"2020-04-24T14:04:27","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T21:04:27","slug":"criticism-and-a-time-for-prayer-and-charity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/thepursuitofholiness\/2020\/04\/criticism-and-a-time-for-prayer-and-charity\/","title":{"rendered":"Criticism and a Time for Prayer and Charity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be an uptick in criticism in online exchanges.\u00a0 There is a time for criticism, but there is also a time for charity.\u00a0 Perhaps it is because everyone is staying home with no other way to expend energy and stress.\u00a0 Let\u2019s be honest\u2026this has been happening for quite some time.\u00a0 Especially when it comes to politics.<\/p>\n

Pray for Leaders<\/h2>\n

There is no doubt that we are to hold our leaders accountable for what they say and do.\u00a0 Thus there is a need for criticism.\u00a0 After all not all criticism is bad.\u00a0 That is how we get better and improve in every aspect of life.<\/p>\n

However there is a balance.\u00a0 For every time that we criticize our leaders there should be a time that we pray for them.\u00a0 It is a biblical concept found in many parts of scripture.\u00a0 One such instance is 1 Timothy 2:1-2 which states,<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,<\/span> for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Even If You Disagree<\/h2>\n

Praying for those with whom we disagree is quite a conundrum.\u00a0 After all, it goes against everything that we hear about in society.\u00a0 We can disagree with someone and still pray for them and wish them the best.\u00a0 We can pray for our political leaders that the Lord will give them the guidance needed to do what is right.<\/p>\n

Over the last few years, and perhaps longer, we have lost this.\u00a0 By no means am I saying this is an issue with everyone, but if social media and other forms of media are any indication, it is a widespread issue.\u00a0 It is an issue with both political parties.\u00a0 All done in an effort to demonize each other in the pursuit of power.<\/p>\n

\"Insecurity,<\/a><\/p>\n

Criticism Isn\u2019t A Bad Thing<\/h2>\n

In my career I have never seen criticism as a bad thing.\u00a0 I view it as an opportunity to learn.\u00a0 Are we criticizing with suggestions and for improvement, or to bury the person?\u00a0 A majority of society has fallen into two extremes.\u00a0 On one hand, there is the group that sees any type of criticism as a personal attack.\u00a0 There is no openness to critique for the sake of improvement.\u00a0 On the other hand there is the group that relentlessly tries to find fault without acknowledging anything else.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you fall into one of the two groups.\u00a0 Take a step back and evaluate yourself.\u00a0 This is also something I write to myself.\u00a0 Are we engaging in prayer for the people who may be critiquing us?\u00a0 Are we willing to listen to there suggestions?\u00a0 Maybe they have more experience in an area and the Lord sent them to give us guidance.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you fall into the camp of relentlessly critiquing.\u00a0 Like I said, critiquing isn\u2019t a bad thing.\u00a0 It is bad when we let it consume us and let it lead to an intense hatred.\u00a0 That is what I see with most online exchanges.\u00a0 I see no respect for ideas, no respect for different opinions, and some even are damning people to hell people they disagree on political persuasion.<\/p>\n

As Christians we are called to a higher standard.\u00a0 We are called to prayer for our leaders and pray for those with whom we disagree.\u00a0 This is maybe the challenge of challenges.\u00a0 It is something that goes against our nature, but it is a command from Christ.<\/p>\n

If you feel the need to critique then go for it.\u00a0 All I ask is that you also pray for them.\u00a0 Please pray for me as well as I do for you.\u00a0 God bless.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Photos courtesy of Pixabay<\/a><\/p>\n

\n<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be an uptick in criticism in online exchanges.\u00a0 There is a time for criticism, but there is also a time for charity.\u00a0 Perhaps it is because everyone is staying home with no other way to expend energy and stress.\u00a0 Let\u2019s be honest\u2026this has been happening for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4296,"featured_media":562,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[430,424,427,117,364],"class_list":["post-560","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-critic","tag-politics","tag-pray","tag-prayer","tag-scripture"],"yoast_head":"\nCriticism and a Time for Prayer and Charity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Maybe it is just me, but there seems to be an uptick in criticism in online exchanges.\u00a0 There is a time for criticism, but there 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