Joni encourages you to pray for leaders, institutions, culture, and people because your prayers are never in vain.
SHAUNA: Hi, I’m Shauna on Joni Eareckson Tada Sharing Hope. Today Joni is reminding us: God has not forgotten America.
JONI: I know sometimes it feels like it! So much violence in the street, college campuses, racial division, anger building throughout the presidential campaign, and I could go on. But I will not because it could get depressing; especially if we coddle the idea that God has already abandoned this nation, seeing that we have abandoned him in the public square. It feels as though God is simply letting us have our way, giving us over to our own sinful desires: movies that uplift violence and death, songs that are pornographic. Okay, okay, like I said, I don’t want to get us depressed.
I want to instill hope. If God was ready to save a city if there were but 10 righteous people in it, that shows his heart. Besides, Isaiah tells us that God’s Word will never return void; it will always accomplish his purpose. And what with so many Christians across America right now hitting their knees and crying out to the Lord, well I have to believe that God’s purposes for America [his great and noble purpose] is not finished. Think of the many, many prayers our Christian forefathers in this nation prayed. I mean, those prayers are still overflowing censers before the throne. God has a heart to save cities and communities and nations.
And although there are many things God has said in Scripture, we can also gain courage by what God has not said. Like in Isaiah 45:19. God says, “I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’” Wow! It is never a vain thing to seek the Lord, especially on behalf of a nation. We don’t need to be timid or tormented by the suspicion that there may be something in God’s eternal plan which now shuts out the people of this land. Isaiah 45 says ‘No way!’ So do not allow the evening news, and its bad reports to foster doubt or fear. God has not cut this country off from his mercy [at least, not yet], so let’s not despair.
And let’s remember that the answer will never be a political one. Please don’t assume that if the right people could only get into office, everything would get back on track. Friend, this nation’s problems are far deeper than bad politics. It’s our soul, it’s our nation’s character, it’s our nation’s heart that needs healing. And when it comes to heart, we can pray with assurance, plead for God’s mercy, and we can beg for his pity. He is the God who was once willing to save a city if there were, but 10 righteous people in it. So, let’s turn from our own wicked ways and let’s live. God may yet give us a reprieve. He may yet send his Holy Spirit in a sweeping movement across our land, bringing revival and repentance. For never has the Lord said to any living soul, “seek me in vain.”
SHAUNA: That hope-filled message is so encouraging, Joni! And listening friend, we’re encouraging you to pray for America and our leaders, our institutions, our culture and our people, knowing that your prayers are never in vain. And when you pray, remember to pray Scripture back to God. Because employing God’s Word in your prayers is so powerful, and we need to lift up powerful prayers that have God’s Word in them. So, let’s pray God’s Word over our nation. And may revival start with us, within our own homes and our own churches. Be sure to visit joniradio.org today.
© Joni and Friends