For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your children will find compassion with their captors and return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.”
2 Chronicles 30:9
Abba Father, the answer to all of life’s issues is turn back to You. When I find myself in a place that I do not recognize, where I feel as if all those around me, though they smile in my face, actually have a knife in my back, I must turn back to You. When I feel like I am in a foreign land, held captive and in the threat of bondage I must turn back to You. For You are gracious and merciful and will not turn Your face from me if I return to You.
Today, Father I pray for an awakening in our country. I pray that You would open the eyes of our understanding and show us the error of our ways, whether it is regarding our policies or how we view and treat those who are different than us. Show us that loving is the way, that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. You declared that to whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48). Show us that this is not just speaking about what is required of individuals. It is speaking about communities of peoples and nations. If we are a Christian nation, as so many people want to profess, then we must begin to act like one. My Savior declared that the one sign that would declare to this world that we are His is our love (John 13:35). I confess that I don’t see a lot of it. And if we, who love You, don’t reflect it, how will the world know You?
Father, let this transformation begin with me. Show me where I am being divisive, bitter, judgmental, and unloving. Show me how my approach to all the going ons around me are impacting my Christian witness. I am sorry for how I have cast shade on Your perfect work in Christ that has been manifested in me and all who trust in Him. We are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-18). Help us to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8), bearing fruit to Your glory in Jesus’ Name. Amen.