Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NKJV)
Recently, a friend shared her experience of attending a city council meeting so she could stay informed about issues in her community. She left the meeting struck by how different the worldviews in the room were.
This city was once a strong center of blue-collar manufacturing—a place where small businesses and families thrived. In 1980, its population was over 93,000; today, it’s just over 68,000. At the meeting, many residents were asking the city to fund projects that would benefit only narrow groups. While the council debated a million-dollar investment in a single daycare, broader concerns—like reducing crime, repairing roads, and improving schools—received far less attention. Initiatives that could strengthen the overall health, affordability, and livability of the community—things that might attract or retain young families—were largely overlooked.
The divide seemed to come down to competing views of government: some saw it as responsible for providing a wide range of services, even beyond traditional roles, while others believed it should remain limited, allowing individuals, businesses, and community organizations to flourish.
Worldview matters.
Last week, I read an article arguing that regardless of how much damage is done to Iran’s militant leadership, those who remain will simply endure—waiting out war, sanctions, and global pressure. The author suggested that their deeply rooted belief system gives them a long-term advantage over societies like those in Europe and the United States, where beliefs are more varied and less unified. According to this perspective, they are willing to wait, rebuild, and continue pursuing what they see as a holy war, funding terrorism with oil money.
At the same time, the Iranian government has faced international criticism for severe human rights abuses, including harsh punishments for protesters. In Iran this same group of militants in political power is preparing to hang an 18 year old woman for protesting in the streets. But, because she is a virgin, she will be gang raped before the hanging so, in their theology, she goes to hell instead of heaven.
Again, worldview matters.
So what does God say about these kinds of differences?
In Gospel of Matthew 25, Jesus describes a future judgment where the nations are separated into “sheep” and “goats.” The distinction between them is how they treated others—specifically, whether they cared for those in need: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. Those who did these things are welcomed into the Kingdom prepared for them, while those who did not are turned away.
Worldview matters.
Lord, today help us to see the world through Your eyes. May the eyes of our hearts and the meditations of our spirits be fixed on the pure and holy truth of the Gospel. Shape us into people who genuinely care for those around us—in our communities, our nation, and the world—so that we recognize those in need of food, drink, clothing, and care, and respond not only to immediate needs but in ways that bring lasting restoration.
We pray for a swift conclusion and resolution of the war in Iran. We pray that evil will be defeated, and the Persian people would have the freedoms to choose their own leadership and future. We pray for the many different peoples and ethnic groups in Iran, and especially for the underground Christians, to thrive spiritually, economically, and socially. Jehovah Jireh, provide all they need. We pray that your angels would protect your children, and thwart evil like the gang-raping of women.
We pray against the forces of darkness at work in this ancient nation and ask that Your peace, humility, and righteousness would take root. Give the Iranian people courage and wisdom to make good decisions for their country, and remove those who act unjustly or harm others.
God, in the places where we in the US have looked to government to provide in ways beyond what is right or proper, we repent. Where we have treated government—at any level—as our provider instead of You, the Giver of all good gifts, help us to turn back and realign our trust in You.
We ask that You would work through local, faith-based efforts to provide resources, education, and support that help people move out of unhealthy dependence and into greater freedom. Give individuals the mindset, skills, and opportunities they need to grow, contribute, and, wherever possible, provide for themselves with dignity and purpose.
Where worldviews conflict with the principles of Your Kingdom, give us discernment. Lead us to respond with wisdom, grace, righteousness, courage, and justice. As Jesus taught, may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. AMEN.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory and majesty and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him [for judgment]; and He will separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right [the place of honor], and the goats on His left [the place of rejection].
“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God, appointed to eternal salvation], inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me [with help and ministering care]; I was in prison, and you came to Me [ignoring personal danger].’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it for Me.’
“Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Leave Me, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels (demons); for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me [with help and ministering care].’ Then they also [in their turn] will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or as a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will reply to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.’ Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.” (Matthew 25:31-46 AMP)