If My People -Ecclesiastes 4:12

In 1927, Baylus Benjamin McKinney, pinned the lyrics to the timeless hymn, “Send, A Revival, O Christ, My Lord”. If we spend any time at all listening to the news or reading a newspaper, we can see that our country is sick and ripe for God’s judgement. These words should resound deep from within your heart and be the prayer upon our lips. The last words of the hymn reads, “And let it begin in me.” The great evangelist, “Billy Graham”, said.” The great need in America is not for a new organization. Our great need is not for more economic prosperity. Our great need is for a real spiritual awakening, a revival in which men and women will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways to the God of our fathers” ( Decision Magazine, 2015).It is time humble ourselves and use the most powerful weapon that we possess in our spiritual arsenal, “Prayer”.

1 & 2 Chronicles is written to the Israelites, coming out of 70 years of captivity. It is written so that they might realize their heirship, the promises made to and through the Patriarchs. Israelites born in captivity would never have laid eyes on the land of their forefathers, never smelled the aroma coming from the altar, never experienced a festival and never worshiped in the Temple.  So, they may have been asking themselves on their 900 mile journey, the same question that we ask today, “Has God forgotten us?” God has a timeless message in this passage for every American Christian. God speaks, “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). If we are to live out this passage we must acknowledge that we are a rebellious, sinful people and we deserve God’s judgement, but His grace has assured redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ.

As the Presidential elections approach, we enter the most critical time in our countries history. With the passing of Supreme Justice Antonin Scalia, we lost a strong Christian foothold within the Supreme Court. For decades, he held the line and remained strong to his biblical values of the institution of family and marriage, the sanctity of life and religious liberty. I fear we shall come to grieve his passing more and more in the days to come.

In 2012, it is speculated that 60-90 million registered voters did not cast their vote. Less than 2% of the population brought about “same-sex marriage”. Imagine what change Christians could bring about with a simple “click” or pencil mark on an election ballot.  This verse is written specifically to God’s people, Israel. But, someone has wisely said, “Although all Scripture is not written to us, all Scripture is written for us.” As the apostle Paul taught Timothy, his son in the ministry, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16).  First, the PRINICIPLE, in this scripture; “My people who are called by My name,” (2 Chronicles 7:14a).  Second, comes the PRACTICE, we must humble ourselves. God does not move for the prideful. (Proverbs 11:2). Finally, we must PRAY as one body in Christ with faith and God shall hear us. “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12NKJV).

On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of prayer, fasting, and humility saying, “Let us then rest humbly in the hope authorized by the Divine teachings, that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessing no less than the pardon of our national sins and the restoration of our now divided and suffering country to unity and peace.” We need revival in our country, but revival will never come from Washington DC it will not come from, an organization, it will come from God. I close asking you to join me, praying:

My Heavenly Father,

I pray in the name of Jesus that you would heal bring revival to our land. May I humble myself and seek You in all things, claiming the victory in faith. May you bring forth and guide new Christian leadership for our country. I pray that Christians across our country would rise up, stand up and look up to You so that, America could once again be, “One Nation under God”. In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.