This week we have been praying for the women of an Iraqi village who are working to build Bible study groups under the threat of persecution and abuse. And then we got a message on Facebook from a SLOL sister in Armenia saying, “We are at war with Azerbaijani. My son is fighting in this war. Please pray for us….” This is a sharp contrast to the religious freedom we saw on display just a few days ago as throngs of Christ followers prayed along the streets of our capital city, Washington, D.C. President Ronald Reagan warned, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” Perhaps he saw us today, standing on the precipice of biblical values being upheld or dismissed. Watching our children being told in the schools and streets that immoral behavior is “normal.”
Today’s guest blog was written Stefanie Schindler and Kelli Flores, SLOL founding team members, sisters, and wonderful prayer warriors. Each week in October as we pray for the nation, we will pray one of the four themes found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. I know that you believe prayer is what leads us, changes hearts, honors and glorifies God.
KELLI: We are approaching the next US election, and each vote stands to alter the course of our nation’s history. Whatever your political affiliation is, you know that the stakes are high. As believers, I say with confidence that before we post an article or meme on Facebook; put one sign in our yard; discuss or debate with a single person; before we listen to or read one news story… we must pray. I believe to my core that our call to pray has rarely been more urgent than it is now.
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT
1. PRAY FOR HUMILITY
“… if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves…” Before He directs us to pray, He first says humble themselves. Humility doesn’t come easily in our “have it all” world.
We are armed with information, fingers poised on a hair trigger ready to defend on social media; but our nation has retreated ever further into separate corners, each one with the belief that he or she is right. But we are not always right. In believing biblical values, yes, but not always in the way we display and share those values. Our views and perspectives are painfully limited, so that we cannot see all that God wants to do in and for our nation. Pray for God to show America what humility means in this time; and that He will show you personally where pride is clouding your vision. Do this before you ask for anything else.
STEFANIE: In 2016 when God led me into deep intercession for our nation, He first required one thing of me. He asked me to lay down all of my opinions. He told me very specifically, “Stefanie, you cannot understand what is happening in the nation through a political lens.” Like most Americans, I had my opinions on almost everything occurring in the news. If I was to truly pray and understand the heart of God for this land, He demanded of me to humble all of those opinions before Him and receive His heart for all of it. It was not an easy journey, and one I am still on. However, I can say with certainty that as I offered up my thoughts to Him, my heart dramatically shifted. His heart for this land and the people living in it replaced what I had cultivated through my own pride. Humility truly is the key to overcoming the prideful political spirit that is rapidly trying to overtake our nation.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8
For the full blog, go to www.kelliflores.com
Join Kelli and Stefanie this month as we learn to pray with humility for the nation.
