HAWAII, January 22, 2012 - Tim Tebow isn’t the only one praying to God these days. For millions of Americans, a sincere, heartfelt and life-changing belief in a savior named Jesus remains the only constant in a world that seems to grow more uncertain and unstable with each passing day.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever,” a popular passage of Scripture reads in Hebrews 13:8. “And we know,” Romans 8:28 assures, “that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Verses such as these and others, though repeated so many times as staple of Sunday pulpits and private devotionals alike, still bring fresh tears to eyes and knees to carpet as Christians look to Jesus for salvation. The same power of Jesus that saves them, many believers say, also has the power to save America.
One man who lives by such faith and spends much of the year traveling the country to spread the Gospel message of Jesus is Dr. Stephen Swisher, a senior executive at Kenneth Copeland Ministries (KCM) and husband to the founder’s daughter, Kellie Copeland Swisher.
When not on the go, Dr. Swisher and his wife Kellie appear regularly on Believer’s Voice of Victory, a KCM television program broadcast worldwide. I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Swisher between ministry stops to ask him his thoughts on faith, family and the future of America.
DDG: A lot of people are afraid the economy will get worse. Do you think that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, personally and nationally?
Dr. Swisher: The most successful people are those who refuse to allow circumstances to dictate to them whether they will be a success. In the past, times of financial hardship have been the breeding ground of great fortunes.
I heard Rabbi Daniel Lapin, also known as America’s Rabbi say, “Money is the measurement of what you do for others.” As long as someone will work hard and provide a service or product for others, they can survive in these times. But if that person will turn to God, He can make them prosper.
It is His desire that everyone prosper - 3 John 1:2. He can give you witty ideas, inventions and open doors for better employment. I challenge people today to sincerely ask Him for help. Matthew 6 says He already knows you have need of things and if you will seek Him, He will provide for you.
DDG: Many people are struggling with depression and feelings of rejection as a result of unemployment and the stresses it brings. What would be your advice be to people who just can’t seem to shake the feeling that their best days are over?
Dr. Swisher: Today is a great time to give your life to Jesus. If people could understand how very much He loves them, they would not hesitate to do so. He wants to help in every area of life, financially, socially, physically and mentally.
He says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” He says in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift: peace of mind and heart.” All of this He offers but people have to choose to believe it and call on Him for help.
DDG: Some say we should pray for America. Do you believe that prayer changes things?
Dr. Swisher: Prayer does change things. Study after study has been done on prayer and the proof is out there, if someone wanted to see the evidence. However, if you ask people who actually pray based on what Jesus said in Mark 11:24, to simply believe in Him, ask in His Name and believe that you receive what you ask and it will be yours.
This is faith and this is basically what prayer is. There are many people praying for America, and things are going to change.
Danny de Gracia is a political scientist, an ordained minister and a former senior adviser to two committee chairs of the Hawaii State House of Representatives. He currently lives in Hawaii.
This article is the copyrighted property of the writer and Communities @ WashingtonTimes.com. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING TWTC CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.
