"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence...
Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."
George Washington's First Inaugural Address in New York City
David and I have been reading The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn, and we are not surprised to learn of the supernatural judgment of America. It is so plainly evident that we have become an apostate nation. The state of the Church in America is in crisis, apostate, as well. We wonder if there is any hope at all; we discuss prayer and wonder whether it is enough to turn our nation back to God?
Again I turn to Adrian Rogers, for he was ahead of his time when he wrote his lesson on how to pray for America. There is excellent advice here. He asks, "Is it too late for America? No! Absolutely Not!" I am so relieved to hear him state this! There are strict rules of order to follow, however. Bringing America back to God will not be an easy task. We must start with ourselves, move on to our families, our church, our cities, our states, and our nation. Using scripture, upon which he bases this teaching, he delves deeply into the act of prayer for America: why we should do it, how we should do it, and to Whom our prayers should be offered. This is a very rich study. Speaking personally, it has provided much understanding and enlightenment. It has been very helpful after reading The Harbinger, for as a person of action, I now better know what to do and how to do it!
He recommends fasting and recites much scripture in support of this. He wishes us to repent and erase guilt and give glory to the Lord. He notes how important it is to pray with confidence, without shame. Rogers states, "We are in a cosmic battle, and our weapon is prayer." He urges us to avoid extremism, to pray with concentration, sincere confession, for ourselves and for our nation. We must confess and repent of our greed, neglect of the poor, racism, sexual immorality, the merciless killing of the unborn, and the godless humanism that has invaded our schools.
Adrian tells us that we can identify with the nation of America, just as David identified with the nation of Israel. I paraphrase, "If you're a patriot, the most patriotic thing you can do is to give your heart to Jesus Christ, to get saved and to have your sin forgiven. There is a deeper reason than patriotism for doing that. There is a death to die, there is a judgment to face. Soon and very soon, you will stand face to face with almighty God. You do not want to rise in the resurrection and face a God in the judgment that you do not know, with sin unforgiven." With tears in his voice, he closes this powerful lesson. Dr. Rogers wants to see God's glory spread over this land. He wants "something that cannot be explained by the pundits on television and the news anchors. I want something that cannot be explained by technology, personality, propaganda or persuasion. I want the Glory of God and the removal of guilt."
He orders us to believe in God. He compels us to pray to remove guilt and restore the glory to God. Pray like David, he states with emphasis! Psalm 108 is a great example of just how to do this:
Psalm 108
1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth.
6 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and answer me!
7 God has spoken in His holiness: “I will exult, I will portion out Shechem And measure out the valley of Succoth.
8 “Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.
9 “Moab is My washbowl; Over Edom I shall throw My shoe; Over Philistia I will shout aloud.”
10 Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?
12 Oh give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain.
13 Through God we will do valiantly, And it is He who shall tread down our adversaries.
Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."
George Washington's First Inaugural Address in New York City
David and I have been reading The Harbinger, by Jonathan Cahn, and we are not surprised to learn of the supernatural judgment of America. It is so plainly evident that we have become an apostate nation. The state of the Church in America is in crisis, apostate, as well. We wonder if there is any hope at all; we discuss prayer and wonder whether it is enough to turn our nation back to God?
Again I turn to Adrian Rogers, for he was ahead of his time when he wrote his lesson on how to pray for America. There is excellent advice here. He asks, "Is it too late for America? No! Absolutely Not!" I am so relieved to hear him state this! There are strict rules of order to follow, however. Bringing America back to God will not be an easy task. We must start with ourselves, move on to our families, our church, our cities, our states, and our nation. Using scripture, upon which he bases this teaching, he delves deeply into the act of prayer for America: why we should do it, how we should do it, and to Whom our prayers should be offered. This is a very rich study. Speaking personally, it has provided much understanding and enlightenment. It has been very helpful after reading The Harbinger, for as a person of action, I now better know what to do and how to do it!
He recommends fasting and recites much scripture in support of this. He wishes us to repent and erase guilt and give glory to the Lord. He notes how important it is to pray with confidence, without shame. Rogers states, "We are in a cosmic battle, and our weapon is prayer." He urges us to avoid extremism, to pray with concentration, sincere confession, for ourselves and for our nation. We must confess and repent of our greed, neglect of the poor, racism, sexual immorality, the merciless killing of the unborn, and the godless humanism that has invaded our schools.
Adrian tells us that we can identify with the nation of America, just as David identified with the nation of Israel. I paraphrase, "If you're a patriot, the most patriotic thing you can do is to give your heart to Jesus Christ, to get saved and to have your sin forgiven. There is a deeper reason than patriotism for doing that. There is a death to die, there is a judgment to face. Soon and very soon, you will stand face to face with almighty God. You do not want to rise in the resurrection and face a God in the judgment that you do not know, with sin unforgiven." With tears in his voice, he closes this powerful lesson. Dr. Rogers wants to see God's glory spread over this land. He wants "something that cannot be explained by the pundits on television and the news anchors. I want something that cannot be explained by technology, personality, propaganda or persuasion. I want the Glory of God and the removal of guilt."
He orders us to believe in God. He compels us to pray to remove guilt and restore the glory to God. Pray like David, he states with emphasis! Psalm 108 is a great example of just how to do this:
Psalm 108
1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul.
2 Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn!
3 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations.
4 For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth.
6 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and answer me!
7 God has spoken in His holiness: “I will exult, I will portion out Shechem And measure out the valley of Succoth.
8 “Gilead is Mine, Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet of My head; Judah is My scepter.
9 “Moab is My washbowl; Over Edom I shall throw My shoe; Over Philistia I will shout aloud.”
10 Who will bring me into the besieged city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have not You Yourself, O God, rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, O God?
12 Oh give us help against the adversary, For deliverance by man is in vain.
13 Through God we will do valiantly, And it is He who shall tread down our adversaries.
To close, I would like to paraphrase Dr. Roger's prayer, found at the end of this lesson:
"Dear God,
I know that You love me. I know that You would rather forgive me than judge me. You are a God of mercy and a God of forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for me on that cross. Jesus, thank You for Your blood, for You shed it for me. Right where I am, right now, I open my heart, and receive You into my life. I give my life back to You to serve You in any way that You may call upon me. Begin now to make me the person You want me to be. Help me, Lord Jesus, to never be ashamed of You. Give me the courage to make this public.
In Your name I pray, Amen."
You can listen to "How to Pray for America," by Dr. Adrian Rogers, here, originating at Love Worth Finding Ministries.
"Dear God,
I know that You love me. I know that You would rather forgive me than judge me. You are a God of mercy and a God of forgiveness. Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus, to die for me on that cross. Jesus, thank You for Your blood, for You shed it for me. Right where I am, right now, I open my heart, and receive You into my life. I give my life back to You to serve You in any way that You may call upon me. Begin now to make me the person You want me to be. Help me, Lord Jesus, to never be ashamed of You. Give me the courage to make this public.
In Your name I pray, Amen."
You can listen to "How to Pray for America," by Dr. Adrian Rogers, here, originating at Love Worth Finding Ministries.
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