Praying for the Nation...

Almost everywhere I go in the State University that I attend, I see things happening that make me uneasy. Every time I walk into the cafeteria on campus, I look around and see people laughing and joking and I want to join them, but then I hear what they're laughing at and my smile disappears. Where is the joy? The hope? The fellowship? Where is God's Church? Where are the hundreds of Christians on campus who attend all of the weekly worship meetings and Bible studies and prayer groups? Where are the disciples who have given up everything--including friends and family--to follow Jesus? Where are the people who are aching to "go" and to become God's hands and feet to the nations? Where are the people who are taking time out of their busy schedules to love people outside their own group of friends? Where is Christ on campus? 

I ask all these questions, then I look at myself. Am I following Christ's example and reaching forth my hands in love? Am I doing all I can to know and serve Him? Do I really believe that He is enough? Looking at my desires, thoughts, hopes, fears, and actions.... the answer is simply, "No." Do I want to? Yes.

And that is what I have been praying for over the past few weeks. I want to see a change in our country, in the Church, and in myself. Our God is powerful--mighty to save and heal. And we need to be healed. I see so many places where the Church is content to slap on band-aids when her gash is too large and too deep to be covered. She needs to be healed. I can see why the world laughs at us! We look just like everyone else, only we have all these colorful band-aids stuck on top of our gore. Music: "Hey, it's the 'clean version'." Movies: "There aren't really any bad scenes in it." Language: "What the ‘F’!?!" Dating: "No sex before marriage..."

Where is the man who can truly say with Paul, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things" (Philippians 3:8-9)? Where is the man who really wants to know the Lord, the Creator of the Universe? Where is the man who wants to be known by Him?

I do not know anyone on campus who is so gripped with a love for the Lord that he will give up everything to follow Him. Jesus asks us to give up everything to follow Him. Everything. Sins, lusts, fears, hates, hopes, desires, loves, and comforts. He says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple… any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33). “Hate” seems a strong word, and I have often wondered if that word was translated properly, but the point is clear. We cannot place anything in front of following Jesus. We have to drop everything that we love most and all the things we rely on to keep us safe, and follow Him. 

This is my biggest fear: that one day I will come before the Lord and hear my Creator say, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoer" (Matthew 7:23), or to know that I will be saved, "but only as one escaping through the flames" (1 Corinthians 3:15). And that is what I fear for the Church. Our desires are too small. We are too content with our own collection of pearls--we cannot see the value in Christ. 

O’ Lord, heal us! Let us know your salvation! Teach us your love!

So, will you pray with me for our Nation and for the Church in America?