Interceding for Our Land

By Charles F. Stanley

What does it take to motivate you to pray? For some people, prayer is an everyday priority. They cry out to the Lord on a regular basis—not just for their own concerns, but also for the needs of their country and the world. For others, prayer is a last resort. They turn to it only in times of emergency, when all other avenues of help have been exhausted.

No matter which category you fall into, there is no time like the present to lift up our nation to the Lord. Economically, we are facing one of the most difficult times since the Great Depression. Morally, we are experiencing the devastating consequences of forfeiting our belief in God and failing to live according to His standards. Christians often feel helpless to stop the moral decline we see in America today. But you and I can help improve the condition of our country by crying out to God on its behalf.

What should motivate us to pray?

The condition of our nation is evidence that we need to pray for God’s intervention. No one will argue that many families are struggling economically right now. Our mortgage and banking industries are in crisis. Politicians make decisions based on what is best for themselves or what is popular—not what is best for the country. Families are weakened by divorce, abortion, and promiscuity. Terrorism and natural disasters threaten our security. Many people and even some churches are redefining morality based on what is popular or convenient.

Biblical warnings should also motivate us to pray. Moses warned the Israelites, “It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish” (Deut. 8:19). In 2 Chronicles 7, the Lord told His people, “If you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples” (vv. 19-20). This passage clearly indicates that God will send adversity to get the attention of His people (v. 22).

How does this apply to us as believers? The United States has enjoyed prosperity­­––more than almost any other nation—as a result of God’s favor upon our country. We have experienced spiritual abundance too: Churches preach the Word of God, Bibles and other resources are readily available, and numerous ministries broadcast the gospel across our land. However, as a whole, we have forsaken the Lord and His commandments. Instead of basing decisions on God’s principles, Americans tend to act according to personal preference or popular opinion. There can be little doubt that our nation is in spiritual rebellion.

The principles of God do not change.

Some people might argue that the two passages above refer specifically to the Israelites and cannot be applied today. But I believe these verses outline an important biblical principle that endures for all time and in all situations.

We also see these warnings echoed in the New Testament. Galatians 6:7 states that what we sow, we will reap. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell­­––and great was its fall” (Matt. 7:26-27). If God allowed adversity to come to His chosen people because of their sin and idolatry, why would He withhold it from America?

What will it take for God to hear and answer our prayers?

Second 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” This promise is threefold: God will hear our cry, forgive our sins, and heal our land. But we must humble ourselves, repent of our wrongs, and lift up our nation to Him.

The time is now.

Few Christians would deny that our country is in moral decline. As the nation has moved away from biblical principles, we have seen an increase in divorce, drug abuse, suicide, depression, teen pregnancy, and selfishness. Ethical compromise and greed have resulted in financial instability. The right to share our faith, speak out on moral issues, and attend church freely could one day be threatened.

Do you love this country and the independence it provides for us? Then I challenge you to kneel before the Lord and cry out to Him on behalf of the United States. Ask the Lord to awaken American spiritually and call her to repentance. If we do that, He has promised to hear from heaven and heal our land
(2 Chron. 7:14).