then, if my people, who bear my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
I remember my 5th-grade teacher (My Loop) taught us how to create an invitation. He taught us that any good invitation must include all of the “six honest serving-men” Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Otherwise, your invitation might not reach the right audience or people might not understand why the gathering is being held. The more information you provide (According to Mr. Loop) increases the number of interested people that will answer (RSVP).
Today, I want to invite you to pray for the healing of America. I want to be sure you know who God is calling to pray and why we pray, what we are praying about and where you might pray. I know that call us to pray at all times about all things, but this invitation is for a season and is specific.
Who:
This is important – who is called to pray? Well frankly, all who bear his name. All that are his people. How do you know if you are one of God’s people? How do you know if you should be humbling yourself and answering the call to pray for the healing of our nation? I wrote the last few days about humbling yourself, check those out <HERE>.
The main question is do we bear his name? That is a hard one because we are taught that Jesus loves all the little children of the world. This is true but does not answer the question as to rather or not you have accepted him and bear his name. Jesus himself gave the answer to this question many times; here are two examples:
In Matthew 12:30 Jesus says you are either with me or against me, and those that do not gather with me, scatter. He is telling us that there is no gray area, no fence to sit on, we are all in or all out. Are you all in? How do you know? Ask yourself about some of the hot button issues of the day like homosexuality or abortion, do you depend on the Bible for the answers or some political ideology?
In John 4:34-38, Jesus tells his disciples that his food, what he lives on, is to do God’s work. Then he explains that the work of the father is to harvest, that is to bring souls into the knowledge of His kingdom… He wants us to witness to his mercy and for us introduced people to him. The very next verse (39) says, that the woman (the one the disciples despised) was out witnessing and that many came to know Christ. Do you witness? Do you introduce people to the living God? Then you bear his name.
What:
Please pray for our elected officials. Not about them – for them. They are in office for a season and have been elected to be there. The Bible is clear that we are to submit to them and pray for their well-being, pray that they would have wisdom and they would submit to God. Imagine what it would be like if the leaders of both parties suddenly had a revelation of God and decided to follow the Bible, Jesus, and the living God in heaven first and decided to lead our nation in that direction. Pray that they would enjoy all the blessing of God in their lives, so they can lead from a position of blessing.
When:
I am calling all who will respond to pray for the healing of our nation for 30 days. That is from February 14 – March 9. Pray specifically for peace and unity among the nation. If you are reading this later than February 14, please join in anyway.
Where:
Where do you normally pray? In your car on the way to work, in your home with your family, in a special place in your home. All of these are great… the important part is that you pray. Paul tells us to always be joyful, pray regularly, in everything give thanks, for this is what God wants from you who are united with Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Why:
This is perhaps the best question of all. I read constantly read on social media how one group is protesting, and another is protesting their protest. Then a third is damming the other two for not getting along. This kind of discourse all boils down to one problem – we are all selfish. We want what we want more than we want others to have what they want. We call our wants, needs and get angry when folks won’t help us get what we need. God himself is the only source of getting what we truly need and is the only one that can sort this out. We are powerless to have any real effect and need a power greater than ourselves to act on the situation. God promised, that if we would call on him, he would heal our land.
How:
How should we ask for healing and what will it look like? Read 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 and see that God is telling us to put his name on a place and to follow him. This is how we see healing and by the way – THE ONLY WAY we see healing.
RSVP – Which means “Respond Please”
Please let me know when and where you are praying, tell me about what God is showing you and how your house is being blessed by your prayer. You can respond to the Facebook post, email me at Chris@genesis2-24.net or respond to the blog post on the website.
Be blessed my Friends.
On February 14, 2021, I asked all my friends to pray for our nation for 30 days. I ask that we fast from telling all the terrible stories about all the people in political office. I asked to please turn from the subjects that divide us and rather turn to God who can and will unite us. These blog posts are meant to help with turning, believing, and praying for us. God will do the rest.
