This Sunday, as we continue in our Back to the Beginning series on Genesis 1-11, we will look at Genesis 5:1-6:8, as we talk about “Walking With God.”

Literally everything else in life flows from this.  Just walk with God, and the rest of life follows in its wake. 

As I write these words on Monday morning, October 13th, history is being made, as all 20 living Israeli hostages have been released, and President Trump has flown to Israel to address the Knesset.  We prayed for their release yesterday in church, and it has now happened.  Praise God!  My eyes have welled with tears this morning as I have watched sons being reunited with parents, husbands being reunited with wives, and fathers being reunited with their little children.  

We also prayed yesterday for peace in the Middle East.  The hope for that is now greater than ever, as the President is flying from Israel to Egypt to meet with a host of Arab leaders.  We should be very, very thankful for President Trump’s support of Israel and his steadfast vision for the peace and prosperity of this entire region.  We should also be thankful for the good men that the President has appointed to help him:  men like Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, who have been instrumental in negotiating a plan that not only ends the war in Gaza but provides a pathway for Israel and many Arab nations to enjoy normal relations, cooperation, and peace.  These are truly stunning and miraculous developments.  To God be the glory!

A third thing we prayed for yesterday is that multitudes of Jews and Muslims will turn to the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace.  That has already been happening in record numbers, but I believe that the developments of the past few days will be used by the Lord to accelerate it even more.  How wonderful for praises to our Lord to resound from Israel, Gaza, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, the Arabian Peninsula, and beyond!  How glorious for brothers and sisters in Christ from all those nations to be loving one another and working together for the progress of the gospel!  It can happen.

These things are a reminder to “pray for kings and all those who are in high positions” (1 Timothy 2:2).  Leaders matter, because leaders impact the lives of so many people.  And you can impact leaders and even world events by your prayers.

Speaking of prayer, be in prayer for this Sunday.  God is working the lives of many people that you know.  People are spiritually searching in a way I have never seen before.  So many would be open to an invitation from you to come to a church where they would hear the life-changing good news of Jesus.  Talk to them about the Lord and invite them to church where they can hear more and find a community of people who will love them to the Savior.  I’ll see you on Sunday.  Come prayed up and come with a friend.      

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.