Let's stop here and point out that Harold Michael Harvey, Ongoing Legal Contributor, has provided a major research effort before that talks about Oil in both Venezuela and Africa... You may want to reread at this time!
WAR
Or Stayin' Alive!
My New Year's Prayer for America
Michael A. Smith
Historian | Author | Public Theologian
January 1, 2026
God of heaven, whose we are and whom we serve. We did not make ourselves, and neither are we able to control the affairs of men. Nothing is hidden from you. You know all things and allow man the free will he uses to bring his own destruction. In 2025, we have seen the results of man's evil when he is left to his own devices. Unless you intervene this year, it will be even worse with more chaos, evil against the poor, the homeless, and the destitute. Wars and rumors of war will continue. Evil men now control all the levers of power, and solutions seem to be so far above our poor ability to influence. Will you not hear and help?
Yet we know you have not abandoned your creation, nor have you forgotten the cries of the afflicted. You who overthrow the plans of the wicked and bring princes to nothing—work now in ways we cannot see or imagine. Raise voices of truth in the wilderness of lies. Strengthen the hands that grow weak and steady the knees that tremble. Give courage to those who would stand for justice when standing costs everything.
And help us not be deceived by false gods, purveyors of religion that is not true. Protect us from those who wrap themselves in holy garments while serving unholy ends, who speak your name while pursuing their own power, who claim your authority while ignoring your commands to love the stranger, feed the hungry, and care for the least of these. Let us rediscover your words and walk in them—not the twisted interpretations of those who would make you in their own image, but the living truth that sets captives free and brings good news to the poor.
You remind us that in these days, evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse. That men will commit all manner of evil with abandon and will not be held accountable for their actions. That your patience will soon have an end, even so, in the face of gathering darkness, keep us faithful. When wickedness seems to triumph, and justice is nowhere to be found, let us not lose heart or abandon hope.
Would you return to us our ability to blush at such evil—to feel the shame and horror that should accompany wickedness, rather than the callousness that has hardened our hearts. Give us empathy for those to whom you show compassion, and command us to follow your example. Please help us to weep with those who mourn, to feel the suffering of the widow, the orphan, the refugee, the prisoner. Raise the standard of righteousness in a world full of false religion that offers little hope outside of thee.
Bring an end to every leader who calls evil good, and good evil. May the utter surprise of their fall stop the mouths of those who deny the problem. Give clearness of vision and break the hold of spiritual deception and the Deceiver. Open the eyes of those who have been blinded by lies dressed as truth, by hatred wrapped in patriotism, by cruelty cloaked in righteousness. Let scales fall from eyes, and let your people see clearly again.
Grant us wisdom to know what is ours to do in this hour, and the strength to do it without despair or retreat. Help us to be salt and light in a decaying and darkening world, to love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly, even when power mocks humility and cruelty parades as strength.
We do not ask that you spare us from struggle, but that you sustain us through it. Transform our helplessness into holy dependence, our fear into faithful action, our anger into righteous witness.
In this new year, whatever it may bring, anchor us in hope that does not disappoint—the assurance that your kingdom comes, your will shall be done, and every knee shall one day bow not to tyrants, but to the Prince of Peace.
In Christ's name we pray, Amen.
To my Friends Across the World! I had not planned to post today. But, that is almost sad to even contemplate at this time in today's world... May all of you know in Venezuela, Columbia, Brazil and other South American Countries, that the majority of those who live in North America have no desire to create continued chaos, death, hunger and violence on any of our South American neighbors!
We speak also to those in Africa, Ukraine, and the people of Russia who are losing their loved ones on a fight that should never have been begun by one man... None of us want what those men who strive for riches and power... Yet, habitually they will arise and try to conquer the Freedom that was given to all of us by our Father Who Art in Heaven... We must stand strong with God in using our free will to speak out against those who would lie, cheat, steal, and kill for their own evil desires... It's wrong... And we know it is NOT of God's Love and Truth! May we continue to share across the world and speak through each other to God and His Plan for Our World! Not like the few men who are striving to break us in today's world!
God Bless Us All
Gabby
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