National Day of Prayer and if you don't like the music


 

At a National Day of Prayer event in our community this morning, the speaker was  Bobby Joiner the Road Chaplain for the Christian band Newsong, and Tour Pastor for the wildly successful Winterjam. He's more commonly known at our house as one of my husband's college fraternity brothers.

Joiner reminded us of the importance of reaching our youth for Christ. He quoted Luke 18:16, words that are actually etched into the Washington Monument. "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

One of the ways our youth respond to the message of the gospel is through music.

Here’s where a bit of culture clash comes into the church.

He spoke about the times he’s been rebuked by those who felt the music he supported was not in keeping with Biblical standards or complained because the decibel level was too high.

“The words are biblical,” he said, “And the Bible tells us to sing unto the Lord a new song. “

He paused a moment, “No where does it say in the Bible to sing an old, soft song unto the Lord.”

Laughter erupted in the audience, but we all had to note the truth of his words.

We often make the music in the church about us. We want to be comfortable when we worship. We want familiarity. But often, God is wanting to move us out of our comfort zone and do something new.

So, as we’re praying today on this National Day of Prayer, let’s pray for our youth, but let’s pray for older generations, too, that we all would be willing to do whatever it takes to win the hearts of precious young men and women to Jesus.


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