^{WRITER’S NOTE: This post was originally started in October 2025. Having wrestled with it for way too long, I left it alone and tried to ignore it. Here in March 2026, I have come back to finish it.}

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Welfare exists because the Church in America has been asleep.

This word hit me like a ton of bricks.

Two weeks ago, I saw an informal protest. A bunch of people, some in costume and some not, standing on sidewalks on one of the busiest streets in our city. One of these signs said something equating to Trump kills kids.

Over the last few days, people are sharing memes, their personal opinions, and protesting against President Trump and Republicans. Why? Because of the current government shutdown. And when it did, government assistance programs like SNAP were suspended.

Seeing people’s social media posts and protests (even in my town), I see them blasting our governmental leaders because they aren’t of the same belief system or political views.

I am no fan of President Trump. Let’s be real, here. I haven’t been keen on any of our past presidents. But to say that he kills kids with his decisions? Nope.

I’m not just talking about this administration. Now, Democrats point the finger at President Trump and Republicans. Meanwhile, Republicans pointed the finger at Democrats and the woke folk during the Biden and Obama administrations.

New issues arise and it is the same mantra.

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As I was driving, by the protest I thought about turning back around and saying something. Not to defend Trump. I wanted to say, “Couldn’t you do something better with your time like feeding the kids you’re supposedly protesting?”

But wisdom got a hold of me, and I kept driving.

I thought about this off and on the rest of the day. As I was ruminating on it, I heard, “Welfare exists because the Church in America has been asleep.“

Wow.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:26-27 (NIV)

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Many negative things/situations exist because the Church has been asleep.

Recently, I was reading a Kenneth E Hagin book titled, The Triumphant Church. In chapter 10 in page 269, Hagin tells the story of his visions of ‘frogs’, one in 1970 and the other in 1979.

There were political, economic and social issues that America faced in the early 1970’s. . Hagin describes how in the second vision, the Lord spoke to him about the Church failing to do what it needed to do in 1970.

It failed to pray.

Why? Because, in my words, it was asleep. It is still asleep today.

A verse that God really impressed upon me several years ago was 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV), which says:

 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for who? Some of the people? Just your family? Only for your fellow Christians? NO! Paul tells us petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for ALL PEOPLE!

The Greek word for “all” there is pantōn (πάντων), which is Strong’s 3956. It means…wait for it…all.

So the Church – anyone who calls themselves a “Christian” – is to make petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for ALL people, including those who are not aligned with us politically, economically, socially, AND in faith. I’m not using the word religiously here because Christianity is not a religion, it’s relationship.

But…I digress.

The point that Paul was trying to get across to Timothy and the Church, and Hagin was trying to make in his book, is that the Church is responsible for what is allowed on this earth. Why? Because of how the Church petitions, prays, intercedes and gives thanks to God for ALL people.

It does not mean all people are allowed in your inner-circle or world. It means we have a responsibility for all people, including those in authority over us.

Now, I’m not saying that what happens in China is the responsibility of someone here in America that has no connections to China at all. Where God has planted you is your responsibility.

I live in America, in the state of Washington, in the city of Spokane. That is my responsibility. Your responsibility is where you are right now. Petitioning, praying, interceding, and giving thanks for those around me and “all those in authority”.

That is what the Word says, right?

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On February 7, 2026, I heard the word “genuine” in my spirit. I wrote the following:

Be genuine. Be genuine in purpose. Be genuine with your mouth. For that is the heart condition that will turn people back towards me, says the Lord. Be genuine in thought. Be genuine in action. Be genuine from the pulpit. For what is seen right now is not genuine. It is not spirit and truth. But the genuine comes from My spirit, says the Lord. The genuine will be known by those who are mine. The genuine is what people are seeking. The genuine is what people are longing for. The genuine, the genuine, the genuine. 

Dictionary.com defines “genuine” as: possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real.

Look at those last two words. Authentic. Real.

The authentic, real Church is not what we see today. I’m speaking of the Church as a whole. There are Christians around the world who are as authentic and real as they can be. Not perfect, mind you, but authentic and real.

An authentic and real Church, an authentic and real Christian, is not asleep.

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RELATED: I Would Be Sleeping (2019)

America is where it is today because the Church is asleep. America is where it is today because it has lost its genuineness.

Christians tearing each other down publicly on social media. Leaders compromising their God-given authority with the standards of the world. False prophets rising up left and right giving “a word from the Lord”, and building their ministries. Idolatry has permeated the Church in the form of patriotism and building “Christian celebrity-dom” instead of His Kingdom.

Where has the genuine Church gone?

It is asleep in its idolatry, self-righteousness, and indifference.

Wake up, Church!

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