“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.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Everyone is talking about the debates. “Who won?” “Who lost?” “What did they just say?” “Well, what did that mean?”
I think it is called political rhetoric. It’s a song and dance number. One step this way and two steps the other. Depending on which side of the aisle you are on determines who you think won.
I wonder if we aren’t asking ourselves the wrong question. I think the right question is, “What is God’s will in the midst of all this chaos?” And “What is my part to bring the gospel of peace into all of this?”
It seems there is turmoil in every corner of the world, chaos abounds, and I get worried.
I just released my first book, “Through Their Eyes” and in it there is a chapter called “I can do that!”
I wrote of the prophetess Anna.
“There was a prophetess, Anna, from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years. Then her husband died, and she was a widow for eighty-four years. Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God going without food and praying day and night.” Luke 2:36-37 NCV
I find my answer to the above questions in Anna’s actions.
Instead of fretting over he said she said, I can do what Anna did. I can fast and I can pray for my nation. I can do that!
“If my people who are called by my name…” I am one of God’s people. I am called by his name. I am a child of the Most High God.
“Will humble themselves…” God I fall this day before You, head bowed, and on my face because I cannot fix this mess but You can.
“Seek my face…” God we need You to shine Your face on this land. I search for You with my whole heart. You alone hold all the wisdom.
“Pray…” God I pray in Jesus Name.
“Turn from their wicked ways…” God I turn from my own foolish and selfish ways and I turn to do Your will.
“Then I will hear from heaven…” God thank you that You hear our cries.
“and forgive their sins…” Thank you for Your forgiveness through Christ Jesus Your Son.
“and will heal their land…” God thank You for this promise.
Our nation needs God’s people on their knees and crying out to God. Above all else that is our greatest need.
Anna could be found day in and day out fasting and praying for her people. I can do that!
Anna was a prophetess. Everything she said about God came true. Anna knew the promises written in Isaiah, Micah, and Hosea. She knew God would send a Messiah into the land.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and unfolding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:6 NIV
This is what she knew and this is what she prophesied to her people.
This is what I know and this is what I prophesy. Jesus spoke to his disciples in John 14, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
There is coming a day when the sky will roll back a trumpet will sound and on that day every knee will bow before God and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Our nation needs to hear these words. I can do that! I can prophesy about that day, but until then I rest in the promise that God sent our Wonderful Counselor, our Mighty God, our Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. His name is Jesus and the government is on His shoulders. He rules with righteousness and justice forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.