On Our Knees Lord

Where else can we be but ON OUR KNEES LORD in times like these in the Baton Rouge Metro area? An old fashion Christian Hymnal reads like this: “Where can we go but to the Lord?” Another old song from the 1950’s with great prophetic words comes to mind: “No matter how hard I struggle and strive, I can’t get out of this life alive.” We will examine later the meanings of each of these song titles plus the implications of On Our Knees Lord in this discourse but first for some statistics.

Baton Rouge has one of the highest per capital murder rate in our  nation of lawlessness and violence. It is a misnomer to even use the words LAW and ORDER to describe any part of the violence that is sweeping our area. It is physically dangerous for anyone, even law enforcement people to live in the environment of violence that is so pronounced in our midst. We are only a breath away from death if we leave our houses and filled with apprehension in our locked, clocked, camered, and guarded homes.

So, where do we go from here? Pour more money into a corroded bloated bureaucracy that claims to represent the Law Enforcement and Justice Systems? Nor has the practice of funding non-profit cheesy organizations of friends of the powers-that-are shown any significant results of lowering crime. By funding every so-called “self-help-not-for-profit- group” that has wormed their way close to the throne of power, we have only increased crime by the way of “graft and greed” with many “barons of power” building their own little fiefdom of illegal activity.

It sounds like from all evidence available that it is high time to dust-off that old Book that has been so casually referred to as the: Golden Rule Book, or Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Or as God’s opponent’s refer to it, the Book of Myths and Fables.

However, there are some who still refer correctly although in ever diminishing circles correctly as the HOLY SCRIPTURES. Let us take a look at what that grand-old book, the BIBLE has to tell us:

​“The Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to dividing asunder the soul and the spirit, the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
           Hebrews 4:12

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what God has promised, He will be able to perform.”
          Romans 4:20-21

“If my people who are called by name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive them of their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers made in this place.”
          2 Chronicles Chapter 7 – Verses 14-15

“But if you turn aside and forsake my statues and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will destroy your land.”
          2 Chronicles Chapter 7 – Verse 19

“Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.
          Psalm 118 Verses 1 & 4

“Taking Jesus at His Word”
  John 4 Verses 48 – 50

Verse 48: So Jesus said to him,“Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”
Verse 49: The official said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Verse 50: Jesus said to him, “Go, your son will live.”

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went on his way. (and his son lived and it was determined that at the time Jesus spoke those words of joy to the boy’s father that the son began a miraculous recovery.)

Let us turn our attention back to the first phrase mentioned above, where should we be but On Our Knees Lord? Where else should we be but on our knees before the Lord at this point in time? Have we not tried everything else that human power, prestige, and money can buy and it has proven futile year after year? The first hymn mentioned above is much like the first question; “Where Can We Go But To The Lord?,” We sure can’t go to the local government as they are fresh-out of any feasible ideas that tax money can provide. What about the State and Federales?       

Well, the “state” which is made up of mostly elected “bureaucrats” who seem incapable for the most part of thinking “outside the box” their box hasn’t provided any signs of relief from soaring crime rates.  And going to the Federales to fix the local lawlessness problem is like the “pot asking the kettle” for instructions of how to boil water.

And the last song mentioned above, “No Matter How Much I Struggle and Strive, I Can’t Get Out of This World Alive;” pretty much answers its own question. It begs the question of a “Higher Power.” If it was humanly possible, I’m sure that somewhere along the line of the many brilliant people who have populated this globe called earth throughout human history, one or more persons would have figured out how to get out of this world alive and have at least a patent pending on the design. Right? Of Course!

So, why not employ a “Super-Natural Power” as described in the Holy Scriptures? No other book, written document or fable explains how the “Super-Natural Power” works better than the “Holy Scriptures.” It's so simple: Believe, Receive and Ask in faith and it shall be granted. The Holy Scriptures as quoted early in this article are very clear of the action required:
 
“If my people who are called by name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive them of their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers made in this place.”
          2 Chronicles 7:14

What is so difficult about trying something that is written in Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic, English and at least another two hundred languages? I don’t see instructions in this verse at all difficult to understand. Well, let me qualify that a smidgen; some people may have a problem with that “humble-pie” phrase of this verse. But the reward would be great for just obedience sake. To achieve what this verse instructs might be challenging but take a look at the following plan of action:

A. Food gift-boxes
An acknowledgment and appreciative salute to our uniformed Law Enforcement personnel and first Respondents with an on-going expression of “thanks” by providing Law Enforcement personal in the BR Metro Area with food gift-boxes consisting of pre-packaged processed deli-food and baked goods and some specially prepared foods by Church and Ministry groups. This Plan of Action (POA) could include weekly or bi-weekly “special” on-site cooking events featuring such items as Jambalaya, Pastalaya, Gumbos, and burgers and dogs.  Currently, one Church group in the Central Area supplies the local Law Enforcement (CPD and EBRSO) with “snack-sacks” on a weekly basis.

B. Weekly Bible Distribution and Discussion Sessions
We all live daily on the Edge of Eternity; however, since Satan is so super active these days, our law enforcement personnel live on the sharp edge never knowing when Satan will attack them through one of his Demons from Hell. Therefore, it would seem the Christian “thing” to do to add a little shield of protection to our law enforcement protective kit by providing them ready access to the most powerful shield ever known to mankind, a Christian Bible.

We think that Weekly Bible Distribution and Discussion Sessions per shift of law enforcement officers at the precinct/district level would be a step in the right direction for added protection. Christian historical literature recounts numerous instances whereby the Bible acted as a shield; stopping a bullet, turning a blade, adding courage at the right moment and enabling a kind word be spoken to tamp down a volatile scenario.      

Bibles, perhaps pocket size would be provided to all Law Enforcement Personnel who would like to have added protection when on the Sharp Edge of Eternity. The Distribution/Discussion Sessions would take place in a window of time 20 minutes prior to the start of each shift. An open discussion of the grueling duties of law enforcement in the particular precinct/district level activity could result in the Faith Based Community of each area being able to interact with people in various forms of need.  

C. An initial 90-Day Prayer-time Fly-Over of EBR Parish
The 90-Day Prayer-Time “Fly-Overs” of EBR Parish would be conducted in small private planes with a two-person Pastor Prayer Team that would be praying for God’s mercy on our area to stem the violence the duration of the flight. These flights which would encompass a fly-over of all of EBR Parish each day would continue for 90 consecutive days weather permitting.

D. Active Christian Prison Ministry
Prison Ministries in general, whether local, statewide, national or international are world-wide Ministries in scope that have achieved great success in changing the direction of offenders’ lives and reducing recidivism. Offenders in Angola Prison, La Women’s Prison and Dixon Correctional Institution in our area have greatly benefited from the prison Ministry Programs. The success rate of the New Orleans Seminary Ministry is unparalleled in producing the desired results with offenders. An active ongoing Prison Ministry in the EBR Parish Prison would be designed to accommodate the short term sentences or jail time of the offenders.

E.  The STOP THE VIOLENCE PRAYER BLANKET (STVPB)
The Prayer Blanket would work much like a “Prayer-Chain” used in Kairos Prison Ministries. Each Prayer-Blanket would consist of 12-five minutes increments per hour and for a total of 288-5 minute increments per a daily 24/7 time frame.  It is anticipated that many of the Prayer-Blanket Prayer Warriors would take multiple time slots. Each individual participating in the STVPB would pray fervently on their knees for five minutes to God the Father through His precious Son, Jesus Christ, as our intercessor that God would intervene in the Baton Rouge area with His awesome grace gifts and dramatically reduce the violence.   

F. The Partial Amnesty Redemption Legislation (PARL)
The Partial Amnesty Redemption Legislation (PARL) would be developed with specific checks and balances as well as goals and achievements by the offenders to receive the benefits of the PARL. Two of the largest areas of quicksand in Prison Reform are Probation and Parole. The recorded criminal record that follows the Offender after release from actual prison confinement greatly hampers the released offender from gainful employment, and educational opportunities as well as financial well-being.

A great majority of offenders in prison and on parole or probation would desperately like to have a “Re-Set Button” for their lives. This writer can after more than fifteen years involvement in Prison Ministry envision the PARL program being highly successful especially with the younger offenders and middle-aged prisoners who have spent years in confinement. The economic value of the PARL program to the economy of Louisiana and to the annual State Budget would be absolutely overwhelmingly positive.
​
Under a strict set of guidelines and checks and balances, a qualified offender would accept a certain lower sentence for his/her offense by accepting responsibility for their offenses and becoming a qualified model to re-enter society. First, the offenders taking advantages of the PARL Program would provide an awesome new well trained workforce to businesses in need of specifically trained employees. Secondly, the dramatic reduction in prison population would dramatically reduce state prison expenditures reducing a tax burden for Louisiana Taxpayers.      
G. A Godly SOLUTION:
“Taking Jesus at His Word” is self-explanatory!!!

- James Ronald Skains
​  September 22,2022