The title of this week’s blog originated from an interview I heard on FlashPoint with the “Praying Great-Grandmother,” Rebecca Lavrenz, who was just found guilty on April 4, 2024 of four misdemeanors for walking into the Capitol on January 6th for less than ten minutes. Her story is alarming! She prayed and fasted for five days before driving 25 hours from her home in Colorado to the rally in D.C. to pray. She says on her website Restoring Godly Culture, “I bring God with me wherever I go . . . He told me to be there to pray.”
Videos show her peacefully walking into the east side of the Capitol building where Capitol Police ushered people inside. There’s even a video of her chatting with a police officer as she was leaving. Videos also show her staying within the roped designated area, as instructed, while she walked around praying then left. That’s it. That’s the crime for which the FBI came after her almost two years later in December 2022. This praying patriotic grandmother awaits sentencing in August 2024.
Here are the charges. Each one could result in a year in prison and $100,000 fine per charge. Remember the Capitol police stood with the doors open for her to enter and leave and all she did was walk around praying and at one point dropping to her knees in tears and prayer.
- 18USC 1752A1: Entering and remaining in a restricted building.
- 18USC 1752A2: Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.
- 40USC 5104E2D: Disorderly conduct in a capitol building
- 40USC 5104E2G: Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a capitol building
On her website under “My Story,” Rebecca describes herself, “I am a God loving, praying mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loves my country, family, and the things that are on God’s heart. I count my life as no longer mine, but God’s, which has lead me to the situation I now find myself in . . . . I went to Washington, D.C. believing God had chosen me for this assignment to pray and put action to my faith, not knowing He would also lead me to carry His presence into the Capitol building itself on January 6 to reconfirm the covenant which was set forth in the year 1620 by our pilgrim forefathers, that this country was established ‘…for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith.’”
She also posts her Mission Statement. Do you have a mission statement for your life like this one?
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Phil. 3:10
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matt. 6:33
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations, you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Is. 58:12
Philippians 3:10-Matthew 6:33-Isaiah 58:12
My Mission in life is to know God and make Him and His ways known, with a vision of restoring our nation back to God’s original intent and that of our founding colonists, declared in the words of the 1607 First Landing Covenant.
“We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all Generations, as long as the Earth remains, and may this Land…be Evangelist to the World.”
Each time I’ve seen Rebecca interviewed, the joy and love of the Lord shines through her. There’s no bitterness or anger, even though her defense attorneys, support witnesses, or herself weren’t able to use or even mention the First Amendment in court. In fact, the jury asked twice why they couldn’t consider the First Amendment when they were deliberating.
Rebecca says as surprising as it was to hear “guilty” to all four charges, she immediately had a peace that God would still use it for good to reveal the injustice in our courts today.
Yet, we watch anti-Israel and pro-Hamas activists in the streets yelling “Death to Israel, Death to America!” “We are Hamas!” Hamas are terrorists?! They’re creating sit-ins to close bridges and roads leading to airports with seemingly no consequences or even arrests, while praying grandmas are being shackled, arrested, charged, and jailed. Sadly, Rebecca is not the first grandma this has happened to and many political prisoners languish in jail since Jan. 6, 2021.
How Did This Injustice Happen?
America has forgotten that our “rights,” even those in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, don’t come from man or government, they come from God. Government is not the highest order in the land. God is and we’re accountable to Him.
Originally, all civil laws were based on moral laws. The further we get away from that premise, the more rights and freedoms we actually lose. Civil law with moral law gives us freedom and rights. Civil law without moral law is tyranny.
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. Pr. 28:2 NLT
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Is. 9:6-7 NLT
The founders of America were specific about everything in the Constitution because they had a real fear of power in the hands of a ruling class. Government should be responsible to the people, not to each other. The people are the bosses and government exists to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the people whom they serve and are responsible to.
Government without checks and balances will always have a propensity to want to rule and create civil law without consideration of moral law. This leads to a pharisaical, tyrannical ruling class who see themselves as gods. That’s where we are right now in America.
“The Constitution is a limited one, possessing no power not actually given, and carrying on the face of it a distrust of power beyond the distrust indicated by the ordinary forms of free Government.”—James Madison
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jer. 17:9
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Pr. 14:34 NLT
Morality isn’t not doing what’s wrong; moral character is doing what’s right!
Why Aren’t All Christians Voting to Keep America a Godly Nation?
As Christians, we’re citizens of heaven, but as long as God gives us breath, we’re also citizens of earth. That makes us responsible. Our job is to vote our faith and our values! God will determine the outcome, but that doesn’t mean we do nothing. We vote! We speak out! We get involved!
Doing nothing isn’t the attitude we take with our own physical health. We don’t say that we’re going to die anyway someday, so why bother to ever go to a doctor? People use the excuse for not voting that God’s in charge so why bother to vote for who will be overseeing the health of our country and the future of our children and grandchildren for generations to come. Abstaining from voting isn’t biblical or moral. We’re to love and protect our neighbor and family as we love ourselves (Luke 10:27).
Not voting our values, faith, and beliefs forfeits our duty and privilege as an American by abrogating our responsibility of protecting and caring for those we love most and our fellow citizens!
Some people say, “I don’t get involved in politics or vote, I just pray.” That sounds so spiritual, but it’s not. A church that doesn’t encourage the flock to exercise their voting rights is spiritually and civically negligent. I know that might offend some. If you’re offended, ask yourself why. Then consider what if the disciples had taken a laissez-faire attitude after Jesus ascended to Heaven. Rationalizing: Well Jesus is determining everything from heaven now anyway, so we might as well just go fishing. They actually did go back to fishing before Jesus’ resurrection when He found them and told Peter, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17)
Jesus made it clear to them, and to us, that He left us on earth to occupy until His return. That means putting our faith into action, not always popular then or now. But Jesus’ disciples weren’t intimidated or dissuaded, and neither should we be. They used every tool they had to reach people with the truth of the Gospel.
Christians must not lose our voice in the public square because we acquiesced and allowed people into public office who try to silence us! The Bible is very clear that faith without action is dead!
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades, will not overcome it. Matt. 16:18
You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? James 2:20
Evangelical Christians make up about 35% of the voting population, 68 million! Unexplainably and inexcusably only half register to vote, and of that group, only half show up to vote! That’s pathetic, embarrassing, and tragic. Then we lament and wonder why moral law no longer influences civil law. If those potential Christian voters had voted in past elections, America would be a much better country today.
Satan uses this vulnerability and laziness in the body of Christ to divide Christians in their beliefs and values. A good example of that is on the topic of abortion or transgender atrocities. If Satan can weaken our influence and impact through infighting, fear, and complacency, we will see less and less moral law, and consequently less of a godly America!
We’re the stewards of our country. You and me! Every voter will determine not only the candidates that win, but whether or not America can truly live up to its motto, “In God We Trust!”
Don’t vote just so you get your way, or everything turns out how you want. I’ve heard some Christians say, if the next election isn’t fair, they’re not voting any more. That’s a defeatist position that Satan loves to hear from Christians. God rewards us not based on what other people do, but based on what we do! (Luke 19:11-27 “The Parable of the Ten Talents”)
And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. Luke 19:13 KJV
If we have a bad meal at a restaurant, we don’t say I’m never going to eat out again! We research a restaurant with good reviews of food we like. If we’re not happy with a particular doctor, we don’t say I’m never going to a doctor again. We do our homework and try another doctor. Our country’s political and spiritual health could depend on our research, participation, prayer, and vote!
“All that the best men can do is to persevere in doing their duty to their country and leave the consequences to Him Who made it their duty, being neither elated by success, however great, nor discouraged by disappointment, however frequent and mortifying. . . We must go home to be happy, and our home is not in this world. Here we have nothing to do but our duty, and by it to regulate our business and our pleasure.” –John Jay, first Supreme Court Chief Justice
I hope and pray you do your civic duty to research candidates, both local and federal, vote your faith, and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven!
The people who know their God will be strong and take action. Dan. 11:32 HCSB
Please pray God will use praying grandma Rebecca Lavrenz’s story in a powerful way! That’s what she would want even if she goes to prison for praying.
Calls to Action
- Dave and I have been taking a Biblical Citizenship class from Patriot Academy and some of the ideas I express in this blog came from our classes. We highly recommend this course.
- Read Hal Lindsey’s blog from April 21, 2024, An Ancient Evil Reborn in Today’s America. Here’s a line about those young people born post 9/11/2001 chanting in America, “We are Hamas!” Lindsey says what I said above, “If they ‘are Hamas,’ they want to replace democracy with a theocratic ruling elite.” Don’t let this happen on our watch. We were born for such a time as this!
- Listen to this podcast with Michele Bachmann, The Center of the Storm. Two people sent this to me. It’s that good and full of need-to-know information about the times we’re living in today.
Please leave a comment here. I reply to every comment.
Thank you. We too watch Flashpoint regularly. We sent that program to a pastor friend. We shall see if there is any response.
Good idea. We’ve shared Flashpoint with all our friends. It’s a good place to hear biblical views on current events. Did you also send him the link to watch Letter to the American Church?
Wow Janet! God bless Rebecca as she takes a stand for righteousness. I’ll be praying for her and our country.
Yes please do pray for Rebecca, the praying grandmother, and our country that is under such assault from the enemy.