Prayers for Change

Check out these four Old Testament books for a glimpse of praying for a change:

• Joel 2- pay attention to verses 12-17
• Hosea 6- take note of verses 1-3
• Amos 4- here God speaks of social and spiritual corruption
• Amos 5- make sure you focus on verses 4-15
• Nehemiah 8- God’s people gather, God’s Word is read, and the response leads to chapter 9

Do we need a revival in our nation? The answer is a resounding yes! This nation was founded on the principles of the Word of God, with a heart to raise up the name of Jesus and bring people together in the love of God. We are very far from this concept and the fault can be placed on the shoulders of those who call ourselves by the name of Christ.

We have allowed ourselves to be bullied into thinking that there is to be a total separation of Church and State. While neither is to control the other, there is a precedent from history that can be pinpointed as something to which we need to return. In the days of old, America was led by assemblies which resembled the assembly we read of in Nehemiah chapter 8. Both civil and religious leaders gathered together annually in early America. The first was in Massachusetts in 1633, and the practice spread from there to other colonies. These assemblies continued until nearly the twentieth century.

“At the beginning of each legislative session, civil leaders-the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the house and senate-would gather with religious leaders from across the state, and a minister would address the assembly with what was known as the annual Election Sermon.

The Flounders Bible by David Barton

This Election Sermon would cover a vast array of Biblical issues which could be applied to the time in which they were delivered. These would speak to Biblical principles of fundamental law, inalienable rights, republican government, and other general principles. Pressing issues related to education, economics, immigration, criminal justice, and a number of other subjects which might be considered during the time in which the address was made to the gathered assembly

God’s Word has much to offer to the leadership of our cities, counties, states and nation. Through the Word of God, we find great lawgivers who were famous and successful in their time of leadership. Our leaders would do well to consult the Book, gain insight and wisdom from a Mighty God who could give leadership to our nation. The leaders of years past did; if it was good for them, could it not be not be good for the time in which we live?

God’s people must return to the God of the Bible and seek Him for a change in the current climate which will bring about a national revival. It is time for God’s people to rise up and speak with clarity and confidence.

“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe and has gathered them from the lands— from the east and the west, from the north and the south. Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live. They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He rescued them from their distress. He led them by the right path to go to a city where they could live. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His faithful love and His wonderful works for ⌊all⌋ humanity. For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things. Others sat in darkness and gloom— prisoners in cruel chains— because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the counsel of the Most High. He broke their spirits with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His faithful love and His wonderful works for ⌊all⌋ humanity. For He has broken down the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.”

Psalm 107:1-16 (HCSB)

We petition for change to a God who knows all of us (Psalm 139), who renews us (Psalm 23:3), who revives us (Psalm 85:6) and who loves us with an extraordinary love (John 3:16)!

Pray:

“We desire a change in our world. We desire that Jesus be the central focus of this nation, for people lift His name up, and all people be drawn to Him and to Him alone. We ask that we might be courageous, standing for You, O Lord, and to make an impact in the areas of influence we are placed in so the Lord’s name might be proclaimed. In the name of Jesus we pray, agreeing this be true, Amen.”

Consider an exercise:

• DO WE NEED A REVIVAL IN OUR NATION? Answer this question in your own words.
• Name SUCCESSFUL leaders in the Bible who would examples for our current leadership in this Nation I and list reasons.
• How does Psalm 107 fit as a picture of our Nation today?