TEN DAYS OF PRAYER FOR AMERICA

What is FAITH?

You know what I’m going to say…  we’ve all heard it and we spout it off so fast because from childhood it’s been drilled into our memory bank.

 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  – Hebrews 11:1

That’s not the version I memorized, but regardless, simply put, the biblical definition of faith is “trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove.”

God needs no one, but when faith is present He works through anyone.  – A.W. Tozer

While researching and studying to prepare for these posts, something smacked me right between the eyes (yes, it did hurt – thanks for asking).  The laws of our land are dependent upon PROOF.  When we go to court, there is a burden of proof – you have to prove your case or you are toast.  But in the spiritual realm, there is less fear about having to prove something and more faith, which is not based on proving anything – because God doesn’t have to prove Himself.  We just lean on Him for all the answers.  It sounds simple, doesn’t it?  We’re human, and we are always going to want to fix stuff – which means we will always want to DO something about something.  Don’t sit there acting like you don’t know what I’m talkin’ about.  It’s true.  I’m the same way.  If something is wrong, I want to make it right again.  If it’s broken, I feel the need to fix it.

To have faith is to believe the task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

I can’t fix our country and neither can you.  All we can do is what we are able to do.  We pray, first of all.  We vote when it’s time to vote.  We get involved as opportunities present themselves and doors open.  We write blogs (my hand is raised), and we express opinions on facebook, for all the “good” that seems to do (I don’t think it does much except get everyone upset).

I’m adopting a positive outlook about our country’s future, and I’m committing this verse to memory:

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.  – Proverbs 23:18

Today let’s pray that God will give Christian Americans more faith.  Where does faith come from?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  – Romans 10:17

Stay in God’s Word.  Read, study and put as much of it in your mind as you can stuff in there.  It’s amazing how many times you will find yourself in a situation and it is Scripture that comes to mind along with God’s Holy Spirit.  What do people do when they don’t have that kind of comfort in tough circumstances?  I don’t know, but I’m so thankful for God’s provision in my life.

One more thought before we pray.  Did you know we can’t please God without faith?  That is a sobering fact, isn’t it?

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  – Hebrews 11:6

Well, we began in Hebrews and ended there.  Isn’t there a joke about Hebrews and coffee?  Never mind.  Let’s pray for more faith in Christian America:

Dear Heavenly Father,  Today is a day You created just for us and we humble our minds and hearts before You to say thank You.  Here in America it’s easy to look around and lose heart.  It’s easy to think about throwing in the proverbial towel and giving up on society sometimes.  People seem to be more rude than they used to be.  Mankind seems to have fallen into a pattern of selfish behavior like never before.  Today we call upon You, the Great Physician, to heal our cynical thoughts toward others.  We ask You to bring to mind the good in our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We want to be positive, not negative in our thought patterns, our attitudes, our behaviors and our lifestyles.  In order to live a life that is truly pleasing to You, we need more faith.  Help us to study Your Holy Word and hear the preaching of it from men who are truly anointed and not afraid to preach sermons from any part of the Bible.  We think of the old hymn “Faith Is the Victory” – that overcomes the world.  It’s only with You in our hearts and minds that victory can be ours.  Please help us to live victoriously here in America, with faith that pleases You at all times.  We ask all these things in the precious and matchless Name of Christ Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Lucinda and I chatted on facebook yesterday about how it would be great to have the PERFECT recipe to get God’s PEACE in our country.  Just the right mix of faith and hope…  love and respect for everyone, regardless of their race, religion, etc.  Guess what?  She wrote a poem – and here it is!  We need COMFORT FOOD – GOD’S OWN BREAD in America today! 

May God replace my cynicism and sarcasm toward others with a better sense of humor and some thick feathers on my back so the things that bother me can just roll off like water from a duck’s back.  Lord, give me more faith, hope, optimism, love, charity and good, strong coffee that is not decaf.  🙂