War is a controversial subject, but we should consider what the Bible has to say about going to war. One of my favorite ways of thinking about war from a biblical standpoint is the just war tradition. I am aware of a contrary position called "pacifism". I'll probably make another post about it at another time. In this post, I wanted to share the criteria that has developed with heavy Christian influence over the past 2 millennium. These are the 8 criteria for a just war and the supporting Scripture. Let me know your thoughts on just way tradition and whether you agree with it's criteria. A thread on 8 criteria of just war theory. 1. Just cause (Is the reason going to war a morally right cause? “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.” Revelation 19:11 2. Competent authority Has the war been declared by a competent authority within a nation, not simply by an unrecognized band within a nation? “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1 3. Comparative justice Is it clear that the actions of the enemy are morally wrong, and the motives and actions of one’s own nation going to war are, in comparison, morally right? “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,” Romans 13:3 4. Right intention Is the purpose of going to war to protect justice and righteousness rather than simply to rob and pillage and destroy another nation? “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2 5. Last resort Have all other reasonable means of resolving the conflict been exhausted? “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

I was reading this morning in Matthew 14. It says, "Immediately he (Jesus) made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭ https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.14.22-23.ESV Jesus dismissed the crowds and excused his disciples so that he could go "up on the mountain by himself to pray". Then evening came. That means Jesus probably spent hours on the mountain praying alone to the Father. Jesus, God in the flesh, made time to spend hours in prayer to the Father. How much more do we need to take extended time away to pray to the Father and spend time in God's presence?

Let us know how you would finish the sentence. I'll go first. God wants us to pray because it expresses our faith and trust in Him.

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