“Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.” (2 Chronicles 7:14-15 NLT)
The solution for the need of a changed life and a changed nation are both simple and straightforward, but at the same time, very difficult for selfish, self-focused people. It may surprise you to know that the words for the title of this article weren’t taken from the home of an American, but of a family in China. It was a magnet on their refrigerator reminding them to pray for their brothers and sisters in America.
That moves my heart as I realize the sacrifices the godly people of China make to uphold the holy name of Jesus. They literally give their lives for their faith, yet, in all their suffering and hardships, they take the time and make the effort to pray for us. Perhaps that’s so meaningful to me because every morning I pray for them, and our brothers and sisters in places like Russia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Myanmar, Nigeria, and many other nations where our brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. Please pray for them!
Yes, of course, pray for America. I pray for America, but I mostly focus on my “corner” of America, the men and women, boys and girls whom I know personally or whose lives I can personally influence. But the Lord is seeking to stretch my vision to include my brothers and sisters who live in cities and states where living for Jesus is not embraced or appreciated.
How should we pray? My sense is, nothing will change in government policies until those of us who love Jesus refuse to tolerate the lies we’re having forced down our throats by the puppets in the media. But how? By humbling ourselves before the Lord, inviting His discipline of us as we seek to straddle the proverbial “fence” between our comfort and our “faith.”
Our tolerance seems to expand as long as it’s not personally costing us anything. Yes, we complain about the high prices of groceries, gasoline, and other things we need, but as long as we can still afford them, we only scream a little. But are we looking out for our faith brothers and sisters who CAN’T afford them? Those who are losing their places of residence because they can no longer keep up?
Humbling ourselves involves raising our eyes above our own nose and seeing clearly the needs of others. Turning from our wicked ways must involve turning from the selfishness that locks our eyes on our needs, not the needs of others. Seeking forgiveness and healing of our land has to reach beyond the boundaries of our own front yards.
Will you, with me, humble yourself and seek God with a pure heart and open spirit? Can we, together, beg Him to change us from the inside out, allowing us to see what He sees, hear what He hears, and hurt for what breaks His heart? The masses didn’t make America or any other nation great. Greatness is built on the backs of those willing to sacrifice for the good of others and for the honor of our Savior.
Yes, please pray for America, but pray for other nations as well. Do some research and choose 8-10 nations where people of God are struggling, asking God to show you how you can make a difference, perhaps in the lives of one family for whom God can make a difference through you.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 
Thanks for the reminder brother Ed. 🙂
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