America

Today's devotional is about praying for our country and its leaders.  I have to say I was not sure who our city and county and even state representatives were.  I didn't know - let me put it that way.  Didn't have a clue. But when it looked it up on the chamber of commerce page, I was so excited to see names which I did know. People like: Kay Bailey Hutchison, Michael Burgess, John Cornyn, and Kay Granger who have helped us so much during the immigration trails.  Then it hit home.  Not only do I owe thanks, but know these people could be a light using their platforms.  I MUST pray! The words of a righteous avail much and since I know I am righteous in Him, I know my prayer is heard and answered according to His will.  But is it His will this Nation prosper?  Do I pray just in case it is, so my spoken word in faith creates changes, or can I be certain of His will?

When in doubt - go to His Word. I did. I remember a few years ago, before all the immigration ordeals (by the way - I'm trying to finish that blog too about our immigration process; it's on here and called "My Fight With Acceptance.").  the LORD reminded me of a scripture verse He had given me in the beginning of my new life.  It is famous one found on coffee mugs and wall art, from Jeremiah 29:11, where the LORD promises a good future and a hope to His people in captivity in Babylon. At the time, I still held resentment towards this country because no matter what, we could not get our status changed to legal for over twenty years.  I received this verse as my own when people told me to believe it was for me but was not aware of its origin, or at least I never thought about it much.  Just like the LORD gave me a burden and love I cannot explain for Israel, for to the best of my knowledge I am not Jewish (but secretly hope I am), the LORD gave me a burden and a love for America. He took me back to what He told the captives in chapter 29 before He promised them good:

"This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”Jeremiah 29:4-7

I realized I have been critical of this nation and almost secretly wanting judgement or revenge for the treatment my family has received.  Just your teenage-type rebellion, but sadly most people live with this anger towards something, some place or someone well past their teenage years. I did. I held a grudge against the LORD's people once (because "why is Israel the chosen one? Why are the Jews so special and not Americans for instance?") and the LORD lifted the veil that covered my eyes and I saw the heart of God and His love for Israel in such a new way. I have never been the same since regarding Israel.  I cry out to God for the peace of Jerusalem and His people to know their Messiah.  So it was on this no particular day that the LORD showed me that I ought to pray for America and opened my heart for me to see my motives. I repented and asked His forgiveness and received this country as my own like I have been wanting it to be for so long.  Although I saw it as my Babylon at the time, the LORD placed a new love in me for America and I began to pray.  I realized that if God wanted His people to pray for this godless place Babylon, and for its prosperity, how much more does He want us to pray for this "one nation under God!!!"  How much more should I be thankful and feel blessed that I have gotten the opportunity to live in the best nation in the world for so long - even if not ideally - as the statistics show - at our worst poverty we lived like kings in most parts of the world.  It took some freedom ministry, an autobiography and lots of time with God to get me in a place of complete grace.  That a week after I ended my life story in my book, the immigration trials began, but I held no unforgiveness, no contempt, no anger against this country.  This I can assure you was the grace of God and His hand in my life. I'm certainly not this good to avoid feeling resentment, but His supernatural strength withheld me.

It was during this time that I received assurance what God's will is for this country - in His Word. 

“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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

"Fields Of Faith," Fall 2011 - local youth at Dragon Stadium - seeking His face

He wants to heal this country and make it an example for the world once again - to be the great and mighty "One Nation Under God With Liberty and Justice For ALL!" He gave me the grace to not look to myself or even my family but to this country as a whole and eventually the entire world which relies so much on us.  He humbled me and I prayed. I prayed for His will no matter what because I knew it was best.  He supernaturally ordained meetings and changed the hearts of people, for my sister and I. I believe there is more to it, but only time will tell. It certainly is the LORD's will that this nation prospers so much more than it was just His will for Babylon to prosper.  

If we can only humble ourselves and forget about ourselves (as I wrote before, don't fall into that trap as Satan did because - it does not turn out good), if we an forget about what's "owed" to us (nothing! as a matter of fact we had a debt eternity isn't long enough to repay - let's not be like the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-25) if we seek Him FIRST, which will in turn cause us to turn from our wicked ways - the LORD WILL HEAR us, forgive us individually - which will make a whole lotta citizens on board with His will - and because of that He will heal our land so that we may be an example to the dying world.. If the LORD would have spared Sodom for the sake of ten righteous - would He not hear our pleas as He did Abraham?  The deal was that Abraham believed God and He declared him righteous. If we believe Him, and believe He has already judged us righteous, our prayers will avail much, too.  Our faith plays a huge part and I certainly believe there are many, many thousands righteous in the US - we have to accept the fact that we are forgiven, stop judging ourselves as unrighteous and let the merciful, good and rightful Judge talk. Once we believe who we really are and accept our authority in Jesus, let's SPEAK OUT! Let's voice what the majority of this country wants but are afraid to speak up.  Let's be the leaders, strong and courageous! Let your voice be heard! Shout from the rooftops and be bold as lions!