One of the most dangerous things that a Christian can do is to become fatalistic. Fatalism is the acceptance of something, usually something  sinful or evil, as inevitable. Nowhere is this more true in recent years than in the way we view our political leaders in America and around the world. But this type of attitude will eventually prove to be fatal, whether it be in a community, a nation, or in the church. This is why we need to pray!

Let me be quick to say that it is not unreasonable to give in to the notion of fatalism. In recent years, the politicians within the United States have lost so much credibility that many regular people are no longer convinced that our elections are fair and honest. People become discouraged when this happens - and rightfully so, but we should not allow that discouragement to cause us to just give up to the point where we stop voting. What would happen, do you think, if only the devil's followers voted in our elections? Do you think that the results would be better or worse? This is why we need to pray and never give up!

Many parents are becoming discouraged as well. They sometimes see their kids taking part in unwholesome and destructive activities, and they are concerned. These parents will often plead, beg, and bribe their children to change, but often to no avail. Usually this state of affairs comes about because the parent was not as actively involved in the proper disciplining of their children as they were growing, but sometimes the child just goes off on their own. These parents see their kids acting with disrespect and spite and it makes them so angry that they become discouraged. So often they just give up. But, what will happen when a parent stops trying and lets the world have their children? This is why we need to pray and never give up!

And then there are the times when we have just had enough. Our bills are so high and income so insufficient that we feel like we are drowning. Or we have a debilitating accident or illness that leaves our body and our spirit crushed. Perhaps someone close to us has betrayed us in such a way that we wonder if we can ever trust anyone ever again. People many times will turn to alcohol or drugs to temporarily escape these troubles, but by doing so they only compound their woes. We don't have to wonder what will happen when we get to this point, for we already know. This is why we need to pray and never give up!

The effective prayer of a righteous man cab accomplish much.

James 5:16, NAS

I think we forget this truth, sometimes. We see the consequences of past failures as permanent, so we many times simply give up. This, dear people, is what fatalism will do.

But for those who have a higher purpose and a clearer vision, they will not give up. Such people have genuinely given themselves to the service of their Lord and they realize that they could not let Him down in such a cowardly way. By faith (and remember that true faith comes only by hearing the words of Christ - Romans 10:17) these servants of God understand that they need only do their part - their duty! God will take care of the rest. By faith, we believe that. So when things go wrong we must be determined to never give up and never give in. God has snatched victory from the seemingly certain jaws of defeat too many times in the past for us to doubt Him now.

So don't give up! Our duty is not to be righteous only when things work out the way we want them to. Our duty is to press on to the goal of Heaven and we can only reach that goal - both for ourselves and our loved ones - if we refuse to give up. We must not give in to the popular tide of fatalism that has seemed to overwhelm our modern world. To do so would be to let both God and Christ down. Their love for us deserves more than giving in to that fate, doesn't it? We are going to win, if we will simply keep pressing forward and doing the things that God expects us to do. We will lose some heartbreaking battles, it's true, but we will win the ultimate fight and receive a crown of salvation if we will just keep going. God will help us every step of the way, if we will only let Him. This type of help is accessed only by prayer.

So, don't give up. And don't forget to pray!