If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV)
As Christians, prayer is to be a major part of our daily walk with God. With that in mind, now is the time to lift up our nation in prayer to the Lord.
It is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility, for each of us to get involved in the preservation of godly principles in America. We are not advocating joining a specific political party, or endorsing a particular candidate. As American citizens, and Christians, we should acknowledge our responsibility to speak up about the issues affecting our country.
We currently have an overwhelming need for godly leadership that will acknowledge the Lord and obey Him. Our nation has turned away from following the Lord, and there is rampant disobedience of God’s Commandments and biblical principles. Economically we face the toughest situation since the Great Depression, and national morality is declining at an alarming rate. As Christian citizens, we cannot waste time playing the blame game. We need to express our concern for America by crying out to the Lord on our nation’s behalf.
There is an abundance of evidence that the United States is in need of prayer. The impact of natural disasters, economic difficulties, widespread unemployment, abortion, and crime just to name a few, point out the need for our nation’s return to obeying God.
Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 8:19-20, NKJV) The United States has been the shining city on a hill for over 200 years, enjoying both material and spiritual wealth as God’s favor has shined upon us. Now the nation has rebelled against the Lord, and rejects His principles.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7–8, NKJV) The rebellion against God in America is running rampant. God allowed Israel to suffer adversity, should we expect anything less? “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27, NKJV)
Our discussion began with God’s promise to hear us, forgive our sins and heal the land. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV) Let’s dig a bit deeper into this scripture.
If My people who are called by my name – God was referring to Israel as “My people,” there is no doubt that today the church is also “His people.” We have been granted the privilege to approach the Father to ask for His favor, blessing, and mercy. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV)
Will humble themselves – God warns us: Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV) It is imperative that we recognize our complete dependency on the Lord, forget our foolish pride, and ask Him to intervene in order to reverse our current circumstances.
And pray and seek My face – We must intercede for our nation, not just for those we know and love. We must pray for strong marriages, godly parenting, another great awakening, and most certainly for capable and godly national leadership. With the current state of the nation, we ought to be extremely motivated to cry out to the Lord, with complete confidence that He is more than willing to act on our behalf and with our best interests in mind. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17, NKJV)
And turn from their wicked ways – This promise, like other promises in God’s Word, is conditional. We received God’s saving grace through Jesus’ death on the cross. God now has the expectation that we will recognize our sinful actions and turn away from them (repent). Our “wicked ways” indicates all of our intentional, willful disobedience not just violations of the Ten Commandments. Therefore, God will hear us only after we confess our sins, and repent. We must live in agreement with the will of God and turn away from our transgressions.
Then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land – If enough believers cry out to the Lord, God promises restoration of our nation and a return of the nation that honors Him as He intended.
God gave us a new and important commandment. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35, NKJV) Our love for our nation, and the God given rights we enjoy, must be displayed. Express your love by praying for our nation, getting involved in governing it, instilling Christian values, proving that God is in control of everything, and adhering to Biblical principles will ensure a brighter future for our nation. Ask God to awaken our nation, and command the largest revival America has ever seen.
U2SA 