IT’S TIME TO PRAY
“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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV).
INTRODUCTION
1. America is in bad shape!
• Economically—last year was the greatest year of job loss in America in 69 years.
• Politically—government has been paralyzed by partisanship
• Culturally—we are becoming more and more secular.
America needs healing! Healing in our economy, in our schools, in our government, in our marriages and for many, in our hearts.
2. Our condition is not fatal. We can have hope—not wishful thinking, but hope that is rooted in God’s Word. Rooted in the belief that when life is tough—God is good and has a plan and purpose for us as individuals and as a nation.
3. Almost 3,000 years ago, God made a promise to King Solomon that is very appropriate for us to begin to claim. I believe it’s a promise not just for Solomon, but for us today— for us here in the 21st century America.
2 Chronicles 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 will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
4. This is the healing prescription for America!
God was speaking to His people—the nation of Israel. Likewise, I believe God wants to heal His people and their land again.
PROP: In order for this promise to be realized, notice what it requires on our part.
I. WE MUST DEMONSTRATE HUMILITY
“…will humble….”
• My conviction is, we (as Christians, spiritual leaders) must take the lead, the initiative in humbling ourselves—not blaming others, but truly humbling ourselves.
• We all know that the source of our problems is pride. We think we know better than God. It’s pride that causes us to be disconnected from God on a personal level; a corporate level; a national level—we forget we need God. Well, guess what—we really need Him!
• We must be honest about our sins and short comings, and with genuine humility cry out to God for forgiveness.
• Let’s take some time to pray prayers of repentance and humility (Personal).
II. WE NEED TO PRAY WITH INTENSITY
“..will pray…”
• We must step up the intensity and tenacity of our prayers! We cannot give up.
• Often times, our intensity doesn’t increase until it gets personal. Well, in my opinion, it’s getting personal. When I see how culture is deteriorating and impacting the lives of families, our kids, the church—I say it’s time!
• If we don’t, who will?
III. WE MUST SEEK GOD WITH INTENSITY
• God wants us to seek Him! This isn’t just some kind of casual pastime…it’s not about just seeking Him in your spare moments…it’s not to be our profession—it’s our passion!
Very few people actually seek God intently…unless crisis hits. Fact is, crisis has hit! We really do need God now…BIG TIME!
This service is designed to do just that…to cry out to God!
IV.WE MUST REPENT WITH SINCERITY
“…turn from their wicked ways…”
• If we want healing in our country, we must repent…with sincerity. And repentance starts with us—Christians!
Some people have a misunderstanding of repentance…
Repentance literally means to turn or to change. To change your mind; to change how you think!
• When we repent, we change the way we think about ourselves and God! We change the way we think about our values, our people, our past, present and future! It’s a paradigm shift!
What do we need to think differently about?
• Look, America is in deep trouble. If God is going to judge America, He’ll start with us…His own people. Likewise, national healing will also start with us. America will not be healed just because we pass certain laws, elect certain people or boycott places.
Healing will come when we pray!
• Pray prayers of corporate repentance.
CONCLUSION
We must begin to thank God in ADVANCE!