Friday, September 19, 2014 Pray for Peace “If My people pray . . I will hear from Heaven and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV. The problems are obvious; the solution is spiritual; America needs a revival. Ours is a troubled world, merely reflecting men’s empty hearts. Discouragement comes easily; feelings of helplessness flourish. Jesus described the preceding signs of His return as, “wars and rumors of wars . . nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:3-14 NIV. Luke describes that time as, “. . distress of nation with perplexity . . men’s hearts failing them from fear . . When you see these things coming to happen, look up and lift up your head for your redemption draws near.” Luke 21:25-28. Such distress anticipates divine intervention. No one need convince you of either the lack of peace or the need for it. We live in a world with multiple international conflicts – splintered by social injustices, geopolitical tensions, international animosities, irreconcilable ideologies, and religious fanaticism – wanting peace but having little idea from where peace comes. See Isaiah 59:8 NIV. Simply stated, the original and only source of true peace is the “God of peace.” Read Hebrews 13:20-21. Peace is born from a right relationship with God. A Biblical response to our troubled world is this: “If My people, who are called be My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV. What my heart hears and rejoices over is God’s gracious promise, “I will hear . . I will forgive . . I will heal their land.” There is much wrong in our nation, in every nation really, but nothing that our God cannot heal. However sincerely, addressing the symptoms – social issues, inner city violence, redistribution of wealth, government entitlements – will not address the real problem. There is a sickness of soul and a spiritual malaise that can only God can heal. The solution is spiritual; America needs a revival. You and I bear a Godly responsibility and are invested with a spiritual authority as intercessors for ourselves, homes, cities, states, nation and world. Read 1 Tim 2:1-5 NIV. Why do we not pray confidently for God to “heal our land?” Our nation’s problems, as well as the world’s, appear so severe and Biblical solution seems far too simple. Our failure to meet God’s clear requirements – humility, prayer, earnest seeking, and turning from wickedness – results in our benign neglect or simple disobedience preventing God from giving the healing our nation awaits. This is what a land God heals would look like: “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:17-18 NIV. Using the example of Elijah, James asserts, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Read James 5:16-18 NIV. What God wants to do begins with what you have been called to do. Prayer is simple to do but powerful in its effect, in the one who prays as well as the concerns for which you prays. See 1 Thessalonians 5:16 /Luke 18:1/Colossians 4:2 NIV/Romans 12:12/ Matt 21:22. Today, my prayer for you is: dare to pray in bold confidence of God’s power. Earlier this week, I was moved to write this devotional after watching a YouTube video by Reba McEntire of her song, “Pray for Peace.” Take a few minutes to watch this simple but moving prayer, set to music. youtube/watch?v=A29S6cn0nig&app=desktop Christian Communications, Inc. EDL website: allenrandolph (Bible verses are NKJV unless otherwise noted)
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 00:00:21 +0000