During our fast we will have opportunities as a church to focus on America. When a nation becomes a prodigal nation and forgets its godly heritage, it is incumbent on those who fear the Lord to cry out to Him for a spiritual awakening and a revival of our lost spiritual fortunes. A humble group of people can appeal to heaven and oppose the powerful obstructing forces greater than themselves, and they can believe in a promise that they will see the glory of God revealed to their nation. During this fast, we stand in such a privileged position. Our prayers are anchored on the promise of God that 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, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14-15) Notice the requirement of humility when praying for a nation. Our Founding Fathers often linked prayer and fasting with “humiliation.” When a man bows his knees before the Lord in fasting and prayer, it is a humility that God rewards. Samuel Adams wrote the following in his call for a day of fasting and prayer for the state of Massachusetts in the year 1795: “A proclamation for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer issued by Samuel Adams as Governor of Massachusetts.”
The following is Samuel Adams proclamation; “The supreme Ruler of the Universe, having been pleased, in the course of his Providence, to establish the Independence of the United States of America, and to cause them to assume their rank, among the nations of the Earth, and bless
them with Liberty, Peace and Plenty; we ought to be led by Religious feelings
of Gratitude; and to walk before Him, in all Humility, according to his most
Holy Law. But, as the depravity of our Hearts has, in so many instances drawn
us aside from the path of duty, so that we have frequently offended our Divine
and Merciful Benefactor; it is therefore highly incumbent on us, according to
the ancient and laudable practice of our pious Ancestors, to open the year by
a public and solemn Fast. That with true repentance and contrition of Heart,
we may unitedly implore the forgiveness of our Sins, through the merits of Jesus
Christ, and humbly supplicate our Heavenly Father, to grant us the aids of his
Grace, for the amendment of our Hearts and Lives, and vouchsafe his smiles upon
our temporal concerns.
In a circular letter written by George Washington to the Governors of all the States on the Disbanding of the Army, June 14, 1783: “Almighty GOD; we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of The Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen”
What a nation we live in with such a godly heritage! I believe that these men stand in the grandstand of heaven and are watching to witness us carrying the torch of prayer for America with “fasting, prayer and humiliation.” I pray that this baton which has been passed to us will be carried in faithful hands to run with all our might. Be encouraged in your prayer and fasting. The Lord will cause our church’s light to break forth like the dawn. He loves our nation and desires that we would pray and that she would be revived and restored.
I’m praying with you and for you today.
Jim