Monday, Pat Robertson suggested we assassinate Hugo Chávez, the president of Venezuela, for promoting communism and Muslim extremism. Rob Williams has an excellent thread going on the situation, in which he first called Robertson an "idgit" and then realized that he should pray for him. Andrew Careaga boldly (and quite creatively) asked "WWJA: Who would Jesus Assassinate?"

Robertson's comments were inappropriate and un-Christian. Instead of suggesting murder as the answer, why did he not recommend Jesus and prayer? A passage we have read recently in our church's Bible Challenge is I Timothy 2:1-4:

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (NASB)

James also reminds us that "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (5:16b, NASB) Instead of assassinating Chávez, let's pray for him. Let's pray that he comes to know Jesus' love and grace. Instead of putting the situation in our hands, let's put it in the hands of the one who can "do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20, NIV).

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