Many Christian congregations and organizations are preparing for the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer which is to take place on May 7th. The theme for this year is “Prayer…. America’s Hope” and is based on Psalm 33:22, “May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."
Certainly Ps. 33 is a very timely passage for all of God’s people to meditate upon, and certainly the Bible is clear about the significance of prayer. This particular verse, however, seems to be misapplied. Not only does it not speak about prayer, it says nothing about the hope of America.
This same Psalm [v. 16-17] tells us that despite “thousands of events and millions of people from coast to coast gather(ing) for prayer”, a nation which depends upon a worldly leader, military strength and fleshly confidence will not find deliverance from the Lord, but rather brings itself into enmity against God!
If America truly desires to enjoy the unfailing love of God resting upon it, here are the conditions which Jesus sets out in Luke 6:27-31:
(1) Love your enemies [v. 27].
(2) Do good to those who hate you [v. 27].
(3) Bless those who curse you [v. 28].
(4) Pray for those who mistreat you [v.28].
(5) Do not retaliate [v. 29].
(6) Give freely [v. 30].
(7) Treat others the way you want to be treated [v. 31].
Americans argue to keep the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” on their currency, yet, the nation which fails to sincerely seek God for the fulfillment of the conditions set forth, fails to truly trust in the One to whom they are praying! A nation which fails to wait in hope for deliverance from God as their Help and Shield falsely hopes for the unfailing love of the Father [Ps. 33:18-20] to rest upon it.
I wonder if America spent nearly as much time, energy and resources fulfilling the spiritual warfare which Jesus sets out in Luke 6, as it does selfishly seeking to be blessed with “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” on this “National Day of Prayer”, what powerful things would be accomplished for the Kingdom of God?
Since “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” [Acts 10:34-35] [emphasis added], why the selfish demonstration of seeking hope and God’s unfailing love only for America?
True citizens of the Kingdom of God understand that-
“our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” [Eph. 6:12]
In other words, if it’s human- it is not our enemy! If it’s human we are commanded to love and fight for not against.
Our prayer should be that God would fill American citizens with the ability to be kind to the ungrateful and wicked, as He is. Otherwise, America has no hope! The reward of His unfailing love only rests upon those who are willing to show mercy by puttin’ their boots on, goin’ into “enemy” territory to Love, Do good, Bless, Pray for, Accept, Give and Treat respectfully. [Luke 6:32-36]
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
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