A national day of prayer, repentance

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

Psalm 46:1-7 (KJV)

President Bush did the right thing declaring today as a national day of prayer and mourning.

It is the first thing we should do in times of national stress, crisis, calamity and disaster.

We should have more national days of prayer. If it takes an attack to get the United States of America to remember God, then we will most assuredly be presented with more such trials in the future – and deserve them.

Many Americans today, and most news organizations, think this is just silly stuff – something Bush needs to do to appease the superstitious among the populace. Yet, this is the most important step Americans can take today to address their grief, to avoid future grief and to be victorious against their enemies.

I believe there are only two ways to fight back effectively against evil:

1. with maximum physical force.

2. with fervent and heartfelt prayer.

And No. 2 should come before No. 1.

Over and over again, the Bible, God’s Holy Word, shows us that if we turn our back on evil and seek God with all our heart, nothing can stop us.

Here’s but one other example:

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.”

Joel 2:12-18 (KJV)

So, here’s my very public proclamation today. Here’s the fervent and heartfelt prayer for our country. No, I’m not embarrassed to get down on my knees and ask God to help me, help my family, help my neighbors, help my fellow believers, help my nation. Join me, will you?

“Heavenly Father, we have no right as Americans to call on you for help because we are as sinful as any other nation in the world. We have no righteousness within us. We are a nation of sinners. Our most glorious good works are as filthy rags before You.

“Instead, Father, we come before You because we know You are a God of promises – kept promises. And among those promises is one to be merciful with us – if only we come before You in humility and repentance.

“So, here we are Father. What You see is what You get. This sinner comes to you asking for grace and compassion and pity. Strengthen me in my resolve to honor you with prayer. Strengthen me to rely on You and You alone.

“Father, I lift up our elected leaders and ask You to remove the blinders from their eyes, give them wisdom, give them truth, give them guidance. And Father, in the name of all my fellow believers and Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ, I ask you to give us victory over our enemies. You know where they hide. Seek them out and vanquish them and may all the glory for this victory be Yours.”

Amen.