What America Needs Most

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Proverbs 14:34 ESV

The recent election of President Donald Trump has caused even the most apathetic voter to take sides. Political factions feverishly debate issues and people seem to protest perpetually, all while the media spins out of control. Political correctness abounds on social media and everyone has an opinion. Christians engage in the harsh and abrasive rhetoric without regret. Young and old people alike are angry, confused and more than a little nervous about the future. With all the division, one wonders if there is any hope for America. What is the solution to our nation’s problems?

REVIVAL.

The answer is revival. For revival to come, we must cry out to God. When we sincerely seek the Lord in prayer, we can expect to see the power of God and salvation of souls. E. M. Bounds asserts that the power of prayer commands the power of God. If we want to see the power of God, we need to pray for revival.

The Christian’s Role in Revival

PRAYING FOR GOD’S FAVOR

America needs God’s favor. Favor speaks of the pleasure and goodness of God. In Psalm 85:1, God showed favor to the nation of Israel by releasing them from captivity. In order for America to experience God’s favor, Christians must accept the responsibility to pray for the salvation of our leaders. The president and his cabinet need the knowledge and wisdom of God to make decisions that honor God’s will. All political as well as religious leaders need our prayers. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 exhorts believers to pray for “all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” The body of Christ must pray regularly and fervently not just for church leaders, but also for government leaders as well. As Christians, we need to pray that God will give us grace and favor to lead the charge in fulfilling the Great Commission.

PRAYING FOR GOD’S FORGIVENESS

In Psalm 85:2, God offered His forgiveness to the Israelites. A spiritual awakening occurs when people turn from a life of sin and turn to God. In Acts 3:19-20, the Apostle Peter preached “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. The church must pray and ask forgiveness for the sin of unbelief, idolatry, and spiritual apathy crippling our nation. The church must also preach Christ crucified and expect God to answer. Then people will begin to repent and experience God’s forgiveness that is only available through the blood of Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.

PRAYING PROTECTION FROM GOD’S FURY

In Psalm 85:3, God removed His anger from the nation of Israel. Matthew Henry suggests when God forgives sin, the divine response is God removing His anger. The psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 85:4-6 is a perfect model for us today, “Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” When God replaces His anger with mercy, our nation can experience the blessing of restoration, transformation and salvation.

God’s Role in Revival

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”2 Chronicles 7:14

Man cannot manufacture revival, but through humility and prayer, seeks God earnestly for spiritual awakening. Revival is the sovereign work of God. America needs revival and it starts with you.