Praying for our nation
This is the letter I sent to my church congregation today. I've been burdened to pray for the nation since the recent hurricane. Being in LA, and earthquake central, the crisis could easily be our area, and everyone watching here as we dig out. God, please have mercy on our nation.
"Throughout our history in times of testing, Americans have come together in prayer to heal and ask for strength for the tasks ahead. So I've declared Friday, Sept. the 16th, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that we pray - as Americans have always prayed in times of trial - with confidence in His purpose, with hope for a brighter future, and with the humility to ask God to keep us strong so that we can better serve our brothers and sisters in need." President George W. Bush
Dear Church Family,
Two Sundays ago you heard my perspective on the recent hurricane crisis (it is in transcript form, email me if you’d like to receive it). I’ve been reading, with great interest, other perspectives from Christian pastors, on Hurricane Katrina, also. One comment that has particularly struck me is one written by one of my favorite author/pastors, Francis Frangipane. In his weekly note, he says, “it is significant in my mind that the name, Katrina, means "purity" or "cleansing." My faith tells me that this hurricane, as devastating and terrible as it has been, will ultimately produce some measure of spiritual cleansing in our land. . . . ultimately our nation will be genuinely closer to the Lord. Still, let us pray that no further wounds are necessary to achieve national repentance.”
I would echo his words. There has been a great outpouring of love and support to those victims of the hurricane and the aftermath. Our church has already given almost $4800 that will go to Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army, and another $162 to go toward Bibles to be given away by YWAM and Sean and Jeri Clark who are in Houston serving the refugees. Giving is important, but my heart has been stirred to do more than give. My concern is for the spiritual climate of our nation. You’ve heard that once again, a judge in our state has struck down the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. There is a spiritual battle for the soul of our nation.
Our president has called us to pray for our nation. But as Christians, I believe it is our duty to pray for our nation, whether our leader calls us to do so or not. We saw an outpouring of rain with this hurricane like we’ve never seen. Now we need an outpouring of God’s Spirit on our land like we’ve never seen. Cry out for cleansing, renewal, and revival in our land.
The responsibility is on us as God’s people to humble themselves and pray, then God will move, not those who do not know Him. Join with other Christians as we call for God to move in our land again. Let’s answer the call to pray.
I’ll see you Sunday. God bless you.
"Throughout our history in times of testing, Americans have come together in prayer to heal and ask for strength for the tasks ahead. So I've declared Friday, Sept. the 16th, as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance. I ask that we pray - as Americans have always prayed in times of trial - with confidence in His purpose, with hope for a brighter future, and with the humility to ask God to keep us strong so that we can better serve our brothers and sisters in need." President George W. Bush
Dear Church Family,
Two Sundays ago you heard my perspective on the recent hurricane crisis (it is in transcript form, email me if you’d like to receive it). I’ve been reading, with great interest, other perspectives from Christian pastors, on Hurricane Katrina, also. One comment that has particularly struck me is one written by one of my favorite author/pastors, Francis Frangipane. In his weekly note, he says, “it is significant in my mind that the name, Katrina, means "purity" or "cleansing." My faith tells me that this hurricane, as devastating and terrible as it has been, will ultimately produce some measure of spiritual cleansing in our land. . . . ultimately our nation will be genuinely closer to the Lord. Still, let us pray that no further wounds are necessary to achieve national repentance.”
I would echo his words. There has been a great outpouring of love and support to those victims of the hurricane and the aftermath. Our church has already given almost $4800 that will go to Samaritan’s Purse and the Salvation Army, and another $162 to go toward Bibles to be given away by YWAM and Sean and Jeri Clark who are in Houston serving the refugees. Giving is important, but my heart has been stirred to do more than give. My concern is for the spiritual climate of our nation. You’ve heard that once again, a judge in our state has struck down the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance. There is a spiritual battle for the soul of our nation.
Our president has called us to pray for our nation. But as Christians, I believe it is our duty to pray for our nation, whether our leader calls us to do so or not. We saw an outpouring of rain with this hurricane like we’ve never seen. Now we need an outpouring of God’s Spirit on our land like we’ve never seen. Cry out for cleansing, renewal, and revival in our land.
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 will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
The responsibility is on us as God’s people to humble themselves and pray, then God will move, not those who do not know Him. Join with other Christians as we call for God to move in our land again. Let’s answer the call to pray.
I’ll see you Sunday. God bless you.
posted by kansasscott @ 4:34 PM
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