Oh,
that our nation would pray like this man! America has become a nation
that has willfully forgotten its religious foundations. Our
prosperity has led the majority of us to “forget” the God who has
blessed us. Collectively, we have sinned and for many of us there
seems to be no hope. It seems like it is only a matter of time before
God removes our society from the face of the earth. Yet, even if God
decided to do this, hope would remain. I know this because it has
happened before – to Israel. And, in exile- Daniel prayed...
Daniel
9 (World English
Bible)
Dan 9:1, In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the
seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans,
Dan 9:2, in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the
books the number of the years about which the word of Yahweh* came to
Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of
Jerusalem, even seventy years.
Dan 9:3, I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and
petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
Dan 9:4, I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said,
Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving
kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Dan 9:5, we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done
wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts
and from your ordinances;
Dan 9:6, neither have we listened to your servants the prophets,
who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers,
and to all the people of the land. (emphasis
added)
Pride
is the greatest obstacle to admitting our sin. The nation of Israel
had to endure being ripped away from their homeland before they would
collectively change. I sincerely hope that America does not have to
endure a removal from this great land, but if God decides that we
should be exiled- it will happen.
What
constitutes a nation? Its citizens, my answer. And when we as
individuals acknowledge our sins before almighty God, he will listen.
If enough of us do this, I am quite sure that God will change things-
and for the better.
Pray,
not only for the forgiveness of our own sins, but for our country as
well!