A high school band in Mississippi hit a crossroads: play “How Great Thou Art” and face a $10,000 fine, or cancel their well practiced half-time routine. Because of a federal lawsuit, the Mississippi court banned prayer, religious sermons, and other religious activities from school-sponsored events. No music played under the Friday night lights. The band got benched.
With every story like this, America seems to be growing closer toward a post-Christian culture. The deity of Jesus is mocked. To believe in God is to be ignorant and unintelligent. The Bible is constantly questioned and taught as a lie. Jesus says the world's hatred of truth is to be expected (John 15:18). What are we as believers supposed to do?
A man in the stands stood and sang loudly, “Then sings my soul, My Savior God to thee.” Soon the stadium rang out in praise. Jesus prays in John 17 not only for the disciples but for those who believe in Him through their message. We are those people. He prayed for our unity so the world would believe God sent Him. How will they believe? Through our lives, our words, our love, our faith.
Jesus asks us to speak. In 1 Peter 3:15, we are commanded to give a reason for the hope that we have. He asks us to stand firm, all the while promising hardship and persecution from the culture around us (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet He doesn't ask us to fight alone or hide our doubts. He gave us His Spirit, the body of Christ, the shield of faith, and the sword of truth. Let us echo Jesus' prayer today. May we be unified in our love for Jesus and confidence in His Word as we stand together to make Him known.