Praying for our Nation and her Leaders

Prayer is an important part of every Christians walk. Especially, when there are activities and legislation that goes against what is morally right and many times a direct violation of God’s Word. In fact, God’s Word gives us a COMMAND to pray for our leaders and those in authority. (I Timothy 2:1)

However, I believe II Chronicles 7:14 is the key verse in our prayer efforts for ourselves and for our nation. In order to affect our culture in a positive and Biblical way we must begin with ourselves. You’ll notice that God says, “if MY people who are call by my name will humble themselves and pray”. He’s talking to believers those who have a relationship with the Father. So we can’t expect the non-believers, non-followers to present their case before God the Father.

The call is for believers to seek God’s face, repent and turn from OUR evil ways. As believers we come to God to confess our sins (He already knows them, we are just agreeing with Him as to what we have done to strain the relationship). We acknowledge our sins, the sins of our families and the sins of our country.

Remember, Nehemiah’s prayer in Nehemiah 1:6b-7, “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my Father’s house has committed against you. We have acted very wickedly against you. We have not obeyed commandments, decrees and laws your servant Moses gave us.”

So the call to prayer begins with each one of us individually. The nation cannot be what our communities are not. The nation cannot be what our families are not. The nation cannot be what I am not. The prayer seeking divine intervention begins with me and my house. Each family tuned in to our failures, sins, apathy and complacence. Bringing God to bear upon the culture starts with me. It is an individual issue.

BUT, see the promise that God gives in II Chronicles 7:14, “then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and HEAL their land”. This is one of God’s numerous “if – then” statements. IF we humble ourselves, pray, repent and confess THEN God will hear, forgive and heal.

So, the prayer effort must begin with ME and then we encourage others in our household, family, and community to unite together to “humble ourselves, pray, repent and confess”. When is the last time that we united our neighborhood, congregation, community just to meet to PRAY. It must begin with ME.

The call is not, “if we agree with the president we’ll pray for him”, the call, yea the commandment, is to PRAY for him no matter what the circumstances. Remember, when Paul wrote the words to Timothy that they were under a slave, dictatorial society ruled by Rome. Yet, Paul admonishes Timothy to “pray for all those in authority”.

So, dear friends, let us bring together our families, congregations, friends, and community to fast and pray for healing in our land. God is faithful and God keeps His promises. HE WILL HEAL OUR LAND IF…

I am praying for you and your family,
Leonard

All Glory, praise and honor to God our Father.

Thoughts on the Defeat of SB 12
Domestic Partnership Bill

First and foremost we must give praise, honor and glory to our heavenly Father who heard our prayers and answered them according to our pleas and supplications, but as always, according to His will. It is not always so, as God moves according to His great providence and according to His will. But, today we give Him all praise and glory for the defeat of this bill and hearing our pleas.

Secondly, we thank God for all those listeners of KKIM who rallied to pray, phone, and email their Senators. Also, a special thanks to those who personally visited their Senators to express their concerns and beliefs and to those who were present in the Senate gallery, Thursday, with their white shirts to show their solidarity to encourage the defeat of this bill.

Thirdly, a special thanks to the 9 Democrats who braved the tumultuous waters of party allegiance to vote “no” on SB 12.

Fourthly, we love all people no matter what their preference or identification. Christ Jesus showed His love to all of us by dying on the cross to take away our sins. However, God has given us His Word and His will. Jesus said, “if you love me, you will keep my commandments”. God instituted marriage from the beginning to be between one man and one woman. Marriage predates Christianity. So, to that end, to “honor marriage”, we will continue to fight to protect our marriages, our families and God’s Word.

Lastly, it was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to have opponents of this bill rally in a united front. The unity of prayer warriors crossed denominational, cultural, ethic, genetic and continental lines. Prayers were offer by Messianic Jews, denominational groups, non-denominational groups, para-church groups and missionaries from around the world. I personally know of prayers offered from the countries of India, Russia, China and Nigeria. I am sure there were many others.

As we heard on KKIM Thursday on New Mexico News and Views hosted by Dewey Moede, Mark Tross and Richard Spray, the song by Rich Mullins, OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD. He always has been AWESOME and He ALWAYS will be AWESOME.

However, don’t forget that the work is not done. There is an exact bill in the New Mexico House of Representatives that is in committee at this time. There is much work yet to be done.

I close with this scripture from Paul’s writing to the Ephesians ringing in my ears. It is from chapter 3 and verses 20 and 21: “Now all glory to God who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever. Amen!” (NIV)

I am praying for you.

Leonard