Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Who Is This God?

Prayer from King Jehoshaphat as the nation of Judah comes together to seek God.
There are three massive armies approaching.
Their mission?
Destroy Judah.

II Chronicles 20:5-6
Then Jehoshophat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, "O LORD God of our fathers, are you God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?

Jehoshophat is not questioning God.
He is reminding God of who He is.
It's not that God doesn't remember, but in the very act of Jehoshophat reciting the nature and deeds of God, Jehoshophat is remembering who God is.
That the situation he and his kingdom is facing is bleak and there aren't any answers.
God alone is the hope and salvation of the nation.

What do you think would happen if our president called for a moratorium that all the nation should gather?
In this gathering, the president would lead us in prayer. Not a prayer scripted by writers or other clergy. But a prayer of the heart for God to intervene in our country.
We are being attacked on all sides by our enemy.
We have opened our doors and welcomed him in.
We have entertained his teachings and messages and have taken them to heart.
We have sacrificed our sons and daughters, our future and their future for a lifestyle of comfort.
Now the barbarian's are at the gates.

Father God;
You who are LORD over all. Whose authority and power knows no boundaries. Does not recognize any government, save the Kingdom of Heaven.
You who established this nation 200+ years ago and have brought from us a light to the world.
Forgive us for letting that light grow dim.
Forgive our arrogance that came from possessing the light.
We humble ourselves before you and repent of our sins.
For our lack of love for each other, ourselves and especially You.
We recognize and do bow humbly before you knowing that our nation is in dire peril without intervention by You.
Rain Your Spirit on us and our dry and thirsty land, O' LORD.
Not that we may have an emotional restoration of our flesh.
But that once and for all time, our streets and roads would be awash in tears as we confess the truth that You alone are worthy to be worshipped.
We repent for man-centered theology and a church that seeks to usurp Your power. We gladly use Your name but not Your Word.

We ask for a restoration of families.
For an awakening of all believer's to the truth of Isaiah 61...
This is year of the favor of the Lord.
May we be lost in you.
Save us O' God.
In Jesus Name...
Amen.
mb

1 comment:

Lane said...

You know, Michael, it could all change in 'one hour'...I traveled in my past (when I though I was hot stuff!!) to NYC, etc... during the 'original' 9/11. This self-sufficient, hard city was suddenly awakened to a 'God-consciousness' and I was shocked. I remember being in Boston at a Red Sox game on 9/22/01 and the song "God bless the USA" was sung...and when the words "God bless..." were sung...the crowd went crazy. HOWEVER, there was a limited, long-term impact on the Churches in America (and in my own life at the time...). It is always about repentance and surrender...regardless of the situation. Yes, the time was right...but the price was too high.

Lane

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