|
Trek 2008 - Hope For America
|
Trek 2008 – Hope For America
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
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 7:14-15 NIV
What a privilege it was to walk the streets of our magnificent country’s capital and pray with other committed Christians. As I listened to the humble prayers of the Inside Out Ministry team members, I was humbled by their commitment to praying for our nation. They walked past the capital building and cried out to God for our politicians. We climbed the tall steps of the Supreme Court building, sang Amazing Grace, and prayed for wisdom for our lawmakers. Is there hope for America? There is if God’s people humble themselves, pray and seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways.
Humble Ourselves
I visit Christian churches that wail about the state of America. I hear the rants of Christians on the streets. Words of condemnation for forgotten family values flow from their mouth. Prophesies of God abandoning America abound. My heart breaks as I hear the harsh words about decision makers and the Godless decisions they make.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 shows us that hope for America begins with the humility of God’s people. Godless decisions indicate we have Godless decision makers. Godless decision makers are lost and need our love and compassion. When we humble ourselves, there is no room for judgment or anger, and the love in our heart drives us to share the love of Christ with a Godless nation. The love of Christ is the hope for the healing of our nation.
Pray and Seek My Face
When we seek the face of God, we develop the heart of God. God is love. I spent 3 days with Inside Out Ministries, praying and seeking the face of God. We had a Bible study in the morning and at night. We walked the streets of Washington DC and prayed aloud continually. We prayed so intensely that a guard on the steps on the Supreme Court told us to stop praying so loudly.
Ironically, Mike – an Inside Out team member was praying the words, “God, help our nation protect freedom of speech” when the guard walked up to tell him that the steps of the Supreme Court were private property and we couldn’t pray aloud.
I resisted the urge to ask how the steps of my Supreme Court could be considered private property or why he didn’t also hush the laughing children. Instead, I prayed harder for our nation, for the guard, and our lawmakers.
Turn From Their Wicked Ways
When I pray for America to turn from her wicked ways, I grow overwhelmed because the task seems so hopeless. What a relief it is to know that the hope for America lies in God’s people turning from our wicked ways.
I pray today that God’s people will turn from our wicked ways. I pray for forgiveness for judgment of the lost and beg for broken hearts instead. I confess anger at Godless decision makers and their Godless decisions and beg for compassion instead. I recognize that to rant about the failings of others implies that we think we are better than they and confess a lack of humility. I understand that we are only righteous because of the blood of Jesus and plead for forgiveness for feelings of self-righteous. Please God, let the prayer of God’s people be, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.”
==========================================================
Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
|
|