Intention:
Just
as an individual needs to deal with sin in his or her life so too do
nations. Nations sin when the established laws of that nation run
contrary to the Word of God.
Scripture:
I
urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in
authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who
wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the
truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind,
the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This
has now been witnessed to at the proper time (1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV).
Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no
authority except that which God has established. The authorities that
exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against
the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those
who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:1-2 NIV).
Reflection:
God's
goal is to bring us into a right relationship with Him. Sin negates
that process so in order to restore that relationship we need to repent -
or turn and go in the opposite direction to what led us into sin in the
first place. As nations we need to consider our ways. Are the laws and
statutes of our nation based on the Word of God or have we gone our own
way and made laws that accommodate our own desires and thoughts?
Where
we have cast off restraint and gone our own way we need to gain a fresh
revelation of Jesus and what He wants not only for ourselves as
individuals but also for us corporately as nations. We must turn from
our wicked ways in order for Him to be able to heal our land. Without
repentance we are doomed to continually live outside of God's perfect
plan for us as His people. Now is the time to repent.
Prayer:
Father
we confess that we have thought that we could live our own lives as we
please paying only token recognition of our need for you. Please forgive
us for such arrogance and help us to turn our hearts back towards you.
Re-fire us with your Holy Spirit and restore a right spirit within us.
As
nations we have ignored your word and done as we please. Bring the
leaders of our nation to a point of recognizing that they do not have
the answers, leading them to a humble recognition that your ways are
best. Turn the nations back to yourself and let your Word strike deep
into the hearts of all the people bringing with it a revival of
repentance. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please no anonymous comments. I require at least some way for people to address each other personally and courteously. Having some name or handle helps.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.