On July 6, our choir will be singing a prayer in song for our country. The song title is an appeal to God repeated over and over again, "Heal our Land." The prayer asks God to "grant us peace". We are a violent and unruly people. The psychologists, psychoanalysts, and sociologists argue over the impact of violence in our entertainment, or wish to ban firearms yet ignore the fact that as a fallen race we are at the mercy of a fallen and depraved nature apart from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yes Lord, please "grant us peace" and "strengthen all who lack the faith to call on Thee each day."
The prayer of the song goes on to seek the guiding hand of God. I firmly believe it was the guiding hand of God that led to the founding of our country. We have never been a theocracy, and I don't pretend to believe God holds America in some favored status over any other country. But I do believe we have been the recipients time and time again of His blessings and His mercies. This country has been a rich land in which the seed of the Gospel could take root and grow abundantly and touch the world. Our nation as it stands today is far removed from this and the ideals upon which it was founded and is sick. Our failure to live and share the Gospel outside the self imposed ghettos of our churches has opened our nation up to cancerous decay brought on by the sin we embrace. Only the intervention of God can bring about the change we need.
One of the more uncomfortable topics hit upon in this lyrical prayer is the chastening rod of God. Truly, if we were to ever experience the revival of spirit we need, then it would be brought on by repentance and that repentance would no doubt be the result of God's chastening hand. Oh that we could turn to Him willingly and not have to face what may come.
II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." While this was a word of promise given to Israel, I believe it can apply to any nation who turns to God. Notice how closely this passage compares with the idea of being born again? What would a born again nation look like?
A song will not change a nation. A prayer, in and of itself, will not change a nation. The hand of God sought through prayer and repentance would change a nation. Will you pray with us, not only this Sunday, but in these days in which we live. Pray for God's healing on our land. Pray that His Gospel would take root in our lives changing us, and therefore, changing our country.
