A Nation Built On Prayer

A Nation Built On Prayer

by James Robison

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble

themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

September 12, 2001

WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress promised to "stand together" and vowed revenge in the aftermath of terror attacks Tuesday that killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, in Washington and New York.Tuesday evening, lawmakers gathered on the steps of the Capitol for a symbolic display of unity and an apparently spontaneous chorus of "God Bless America."

Who can forget that memorable day when our leaders of both parties stood unified and pled with God Almighty to guide our country? Side by side, shoulder to shoulder, our men and women of Congress sang these words:

“Stand beside her, and guide her Through the night with a light from above.”

Today, many of those same leaders view each other as the enemy. Their time and energy is spent devising ways to defeat one another. Yet darkness still looms over our world. Daylight has not yet come. What appeared to be real unity has vanished as we have forgotten that our true Light comes from above.

Our nation must return to prayer—not just in our homes and sanctuaries, but in our halls of government. Certainly, our troops are praying on the battle fields; their political leaders must do the same. We must cease focusing on ourselves, our parties and our power and turn our eyes to our Provider and Protector. When the darkness is so bleak and it is difficult to see the way, surely we can humble ourselves and seek Divine guidance.

The Library of Congress records the first convening of the Continental Congress, which opened with prayer. Reportedly, George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Jay and other founding fathers bowed their reverently as Rev. Jacob Duche read from Psalm 35:

"Plead my cause, Oh, Lord, with them that strive with me, fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield, and rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'”

There is tremendous power in prayer. It unifies people under a greater purpose. It removes personal egos and aspirations from the debate. It says, “Not our will, Lord, but Yours.”

If ever we needed prayer for guidance, as well as protection, it is now.

War is not new to America. Even before the “united states” became a nation, our enemies sought to destroy the ideals for which we stood. The enemies of freedom, however, have not always come from beyond our borders. After four years of a war far bloodier than the one we face today, President Lincoln closed his second inaugural address with these words:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Our leaders desperately need the wisdom of our forefathers. Radical religion cannot be defeated when carnal political agendas prevail. We can only be saved by a Higher Power. Victory begins when we fall to our knees in fervent prayer. Often, the only way up is down; so this Memorial Day, let’s pray.

This Week Pray for our military and pray for the politicians who determine their actions.

Prayer "Father, guide our nation. Help us to turn to You in humility to seek wisdom. We plead for Your protection and mercy for our troops and their families. Intervene in the lives of our political leaders so that Your will may be carried out in the hearts of our people."

The Soul of a Nation

by James Robison

Prayer is the best way to build a bright future for our nation and our world.

The United States at the crossroads of its history. Prosperous, but decaying morally and spiritually. Is there a solution? Popular media figure, James Robison says Christians must pray, and not just little prayers. We need to pray the big, specific prayers about moral issues, immigration, peace, war, politics, suffering, environment, charity work, everything.

The Soul of a Nation encourages readers to stand on our nation's foundation of faith and pray through 30 days of essential issues that must be faith-fully resolved for building-and blessing-the U.S.A.

Published by Thomas Nelson. Trade Paper.
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