Pray For America!

This devotion is from a great friend of mine:

As believers, it is our responsibility to pray for America, ALWAYS, not just in times of national crisis. Without diminishing the importance of the Supreme Court or the Congress or the President, they are not the source of our future or our hope. Only God and the Power of the Holy Spirit, working in our lives of citizens can sustain the strength and the future of this nation.

James 5:16 encourages us that “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” and throughout the Bible we see how true these words are. Prayers moved the Hand of God and changes came to nations, leaders, laws, and individuals. The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man IS pray. It is not the only thing, but it IS the chief thing.

First, as God’s people, we must humble ourselves and confess to God the sins of our nation as well as our own lives, our being self-centered, lusts, addictions, the love of the world, and any area in which we are disobeying His Word. God has said, “If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My Face, and turn away from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land,” (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

Second, we must pray for our leaders and authorities. Ask our Lord to give His Wisdom, Protection, and Direction to the President, Congress, state and local officials, judges, as well as all those whom God has raised up to lead His People. If we see nonbelievers taking control of the government, passing laws that violate the Laws of God, and jeopardizing our God-given freedoms, our order and duty is to intercede and take action, fervently praying, trusting God to restore His Presence to our nation and communities.

Third, we must pray that our Lord will work in a powerful way in the hearts of believers and people from all walks of life. Only God has the power to free people from the sins that destroy their lives as well as the foundations of righteousness. Fourth, we must pray for families, for school systems, for the military, for our emergency response teams, for our police men and women, our health givers, and for ALL the vital aspects of our society. Be aware of what is going on, and REALLY help them and pray!

My thoughts and prayers are that you stand up for Christ! That you be like Christ! That you also fervently pray with others in His House! This may cause you to suffer and be ridiculed by the world. Whatever you may go through, it will not hold a candle’s light up to the suffering and death on His Cross that our Lord, Jesus Christ went through, just for YOU! THANK GOD HE IS RISEN! Thank God He IS our Refuge in times such as these! Share Him with others. DO NOT HESITATE! In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen. Peace.“