by John Grant
“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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
We have just observed the National Day of Prayer, something officially observed in our land since President Truman signed a proclamation in 1952. There were numerous events but for the most part people kept on doing what they normally do with scant observance of the reason for the day. There was not a word about it in my hometown newspaper.
It seems that all too often there is a lackadaisical attitude about prayer, but the Scriptures admonish us to pray. (Hebrews 10:22) tells us to draw near. God always encourages us to draw close to Him in prayer. Here Paul instructs us to do so with unwavering confidence, fullness of faith, without any doubt, because the sacrifice of Jesus Christ has cleared our conscience and paved the way into God’s presence. Today, some no longer feel the need to pray and study daily. They make the excuse that they do not have enough time.
All too often we see the victory against evil is to engage in a culture war to root out evil, focusing on what is wrong. We should do that, but not as a primary focus. As long as we seek moral and spiritual victory on a horizontal plane, we will fall short.
The scriptures are clear that we are to seek good and the overcoming of evil by looking up, not out. Prayer is the access to that vertical relationship. We need to spend less time fighting evil and more time seeking good (God).
We, who are called by his name are to humble ourselves and pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. I can’t control the actions and thoughts of others, but I can control myself and turn from my wicked ways. I should cleanse myself before throwing darts at others. All of us have fallen short and need to daily repent, rebuild and ask God to restore.
We do that through prayer ………. silent prayer, corporate prayer, intercessory prayer and constant prayer. When we do this individually and corporately as people of faith, then God will hear, forgive and heal our land.
So before we judge others may we resolve to look first at ourselves, get on our knees and seek personal restoration. Then, and only then, individually and collectively, we will discover the true power of prayer.
(a thought on life from John Grant )
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2012/05/19/jg_evil-or-good/
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney