I am often exhorted that we need to “pray for our country,” usually accompanied by the verse in 1Chronicles 7:14: “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.” [NIV]
Lately I have begun to ponder exactly what that means. Most often it seems our prayers are focused on the politicians, their agendas, and elections. Is that where our focus should be?
Last Sunday I read an article that sickened me. It was about a father who committed a horrible crime on his 3-month-old infant, explaining he was teaching her not to cry! (What does it say about our nation that these kinds of things happen. (This was not an isolated case; there are many more just as nauseating.)
As I read the verse in 1Chronicles, I see something far different from simply praying for politicians, their agendas, and elections as if that will solve our problems. I see that the people who are called by the name of Christ Jesus the LORD, are to be the first to humble themselves and pray.
Daniel’s prayer of repentance for his people began “We have sinned and done wrong,” and Nehemiah’s prayer also began with “We.” “We have acted very wickedly toward you.” [Daniel 9:3-19, Nehemiah 1:4-11]
These two righteous men IDENTIFIED with their people. WE have sinned they cried out to God. As God’s people we cannot expect our politicians to humble themselves and pray – God called us to stand in the gap for our nation and for its cultural standards, for its healing. We need to repent, turn from our wicked ways, and pray for our people! Amen&Amen