A CALL TO PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

As our country faces a time of confusion unparalleled in its history,
I would plead with all who worship the God of the Bible,
to repent, intercede for our country, and call on the Lord to be merciful to us.

As a nation we have turned from Him, taking our liberty for granted and mistaking it for license.
Each has turned to his own way, seeking his own pleasure,
getting and spending, eating and drinking,
desiring more, appreciating less,
And neglecting the God who has given us everything we have.

Just as God warned the children of Israel, as He brought them into the land of promise,
He continues to warn us today:

"Beware lest you say in your heart,' My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'
You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth; that he may confirm
his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as at this day.
And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you this day that you shall surely perish. (Deuteronomy 8: 17-19, RSV)

His commandments are prohibited to be even posted, let alone taught, in our public schools.
And our land is full of blood -- in its streets and even in those same schools.
As each person throws out the commandments in favor of lawlessness
That he might do what is right in his own eyes and choose his own truth.

As our first President, George Washington, left office, he warned the country of many dangers that might threaten its future as a free country. It would behoove Americans to reread his Farewell Address, of which these words are a part:

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and cherish them....Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.

It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government....Can is be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtues?"

If one were to go back and read the address in its entirety, one would see the warnings that apply today, to the very situation we face as a nation. We can heed them, or close our eyes and continue to live as we have, hoping for the best, until suddenly we wake up one morning and realize our liberty is gone.

Our liberty is a precious gift of God. It was bought at a great price.
We have as a nation not given God the thanks and honor He deserves for it.
We are focused on what we yet want, rather than being thankful for what we already have.
We need to repent and pray for mercy and forgiveness as we intercede for our country.
Let us give Him the honor due His name, and seek his face.

'if my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves,
and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways,
the I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin
and heal their land.'

2 Chronicles 7:14

If you would like to respond in some way to what is said here, you may email me.
If you would like more information on the founding principles of our country,
look for books on the Providential view of history at Barb's People Builders