2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Most people will agree that our country is in serious trouble. The disunity in our government is frightening, and it threatens to destroy all that our nation has stood for in the last two and a half centuries. The very things that the Bible tells us are sacred and precious to God have been mocked and rejected by so many.
Is it possible to turn the tide? Can America ever become the godly nation that it once was?
I believe it can be, but it won’t happen on its own. God’s people need to intervene. It is critical that we exercise our responsibility to vote and support godly representatives and laws, but if we don’t engage our spiritual responsibility to pray, our voices may never be heard in the halls of state assemblies and the Congress of the United States.
Have you ever really thought about how powerful prayer is? I have to admit that I’ve essentially taken prayer for granted. I have always prayed, but it was more of an expectation than the realization that I was actually tapping into the power of God. I know that God is the Creator of all things. He is the Sustainer of all things. He’s God, no doubt about that, but lately, the Holy Spirit has brought to my attention the unfathomable power that God has made available to His children through the simple act of calling upon His name!
In the Bible, there are many accounts where God’s people prayed, and He worked in amazing and miraculous ways. One account is in the book of 1 Kings. In chapter 17, Elijah prayed to the Lord in regards to the death of the widow’s son, and God brought the boy back to life. Another example is in the first chapter of 1 Samuel where Hannah prayed to the Lord for a son, and God gave her a child. The last example is in Acts 12 where Peter is freed from prison after the church prayed for him. There are so many more examples of the power of prayer in the Bible.
When I really focus upon the immense power of God and the accessibility I have to that power through prayer, I am amazed that I don’t pray continually! I understand that God is not a magical genie who grants wishes indiscriminately, but He is the only One who has the capability of responding to any prayer in any time in any place for those who cry out to Him.
Keeping that in mind, I believe that the prayers of God’s people can bring about revival in our land. Dr. A.T. Pierson, a Baptist minister (1837-1911) said, “There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer.”
America has seen two “Great Awakenings” in regards to religious revival. After the American Revolution, America had fallen into spiritual decay, and John Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, stated that the Church “was too far gone ever to be redeemed.” Through urgent pleas to pray for revival, men like Jonathan Edwards prayed for revival in 1747. This led to the first “Great Awakening” in America. In 1794, another Baptist pastor, Isaac Backus, urged pastors of every denomination to pray for revival in America, and the second “Great Awakening” was born leading to modern-day missionaries and Sunday schools. What’s to stop the prayers of 21st century believers from ushering in a third “Great Awakening” for America?
As the only offensive weapon we have in our spiritual arsenal, our prayers are powerful and effective. James 5:16 tells us that “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” If we really want to make America great again, we must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) that the people of the United States will humble themselves, seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then, and only then, will God Himself heal our land,
If we do not pray for our country, one thing is for certain. There will be no spiritual revival, and this nation will continue down its current path.
Lord You see Your tired servants, and the broken wounded soldiers
Oh how much we need Your precious healing hand
We need the power of the cross as the only source for us
When we stand up facing final battle cry, restore your church again.
Touch Your people once again with Your precious holy hand, we pray
Let Your kingdom shine upon this earth through a living glorious church
Not for temporary deeds, but to restore authority and power
Let a mighty rushing wind blow in, touch your people once again.
(from “Touch Your People Once Again” by Steve Green)
“Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:3
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Spend some time today praying for God to bless America once again.