Praying for our nation

When we think about our nation and its problems, we might begin to feel disheartened. We can find ourselves worrying about what the future holds for each of us personally, but on a wider scale, we might also worry about the future of society, or even the wider world.

We might think that we don’t have the power to make any real change. But God told Abraham if there were as few as ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorra, He would spare the cities from judgment. If only ten people could have made a difference to those cities, imagine what the prayers of the whole church could do for our nation today. God said: ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.’

Let’s take a closer look at this verse: a) ‘If my people, who are called by my name.’ As God’s redeemed people, we need to take responsibility to pray for our nation. b) ‘Will humble themselves…pray and seek my face.’ God, who needs nobody’s authorisation or approval to act, promises to move when His people turn to Him and seek His face in prayer. c) ‘And turn from their wicked ways.’ Instead of complaining about what’s wrong with society, God commands His people to examine their own hearts to see what’s wrong and make it right. And when they do, He promises to: d) ‘Hear from heaven…forgive their sin and…heal their land.’

The truth is, it’s up to us. We can help bring change to our nation if we’ll pray and seek God with all our hearts.

Num 34-36; Mark 8:14-26; Ps 57; Prov 11:14