FAITH AND FASTING

Often, I catch myself fretting over the continual cultural slide and division in the United States. The fabric of our American soul is being pulled so hard at both ends, it is thin and close to being torn to shreds in the middle. At least, it seems that way sometimes.

One sleepless night recently, I lay in bed pondering the condition of America. This time I was listening more than whining, earnestly seeking His comfort and wisdom.

In this quiet, honest reflection, He reminded me the American people, including me, too often think politics, political leaders are our hope, the solution. We fight and argue and try to persuade others to agree with us, yet end up feeling powerless as we watch disharmony continuing to grow.

We wear political hats and t-shirts, hold rallies and wave signs and flags. And maybe we convince a few. But violence increases, attacks grow, divisions form widening chasms in our worldviews, and we despair of seeing our beloved nation come together in peace and unity.

Children of God, followers of Christ, our true power is not in sign-waving politics. It is in surrendered relationship with Him. Real power is in giving ourselves up to His Holy Spirit. It is found when we invite Him to fill every inch of our personal temples and give Him control, every hour, every day.

More, real hope and change for our nation is found when the people of God, the ‘Israel of God’, in this land unite in surrender to His Spirit and in seeking Him for their nation, His nation. This land belongs to the Lord, having been dedicated publicly to Him by George Washington in its founding days! No amount of white-washing our history or denial intending to erase our Biblical founding will remove who we are to God.

So, as I lay in surrender and restful listening to the wisdom of His Spirit, the quiet voice of inspiration whispered the Solution:

Pray for the youth of this nation to have another Holy Spirit-led awakening. Pray for the young of My people to fall deeply in love with Jesus, to claim their schools and universities again for Christ! To take their youth groups, neighborhoods, clubs and community groups, by storm! Pray, Holy One, sweep this land for another harvest of young souls. Begin with the children of Your people, raise up a generation, two generations, three generations, of surrendered, Spirit-filled young people! Through them, usher in a great revival that restores Your Spirit and Your values to every corner of this very divided land.

Friends, instead of fretting over the divisions, the degradation of our culture or political landscape, instead of having one more argument with friends on social media about party politics, pray today for the people of God to awaken to His Spirit and fully surrender to Him. Pray for revival to begin in the lives of His children, our children. As II Chronicles 7:14 reminds us, when we are fully His, humbly, purely seeking Him, He heals our land!

Watch and see what the Lord will do!

God bless you today, and God bless America!

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 will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14