A Time For Fervent Prayer

We might be on the brink of another war.  The Middle East is such a complex situation that no one seems to have a clear understanding of all that is going on or what to do.  If you listen to any news at all, you hear a wide range of assessments of the crisis in Syria and confusion about which option is the best.  There are many players with many interests.  Like in a stack of dry straw, one small spark could set the whole area ablaze.

We hope that somehow things will blow over (not up!) but feel utterly helpless to do anything about it.  But should we?  If we are followers of Jesus, He has promised us access directly to the Father.  In John 14:13-14, He said, “Whatever you ask in My name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”  But you will say, “Yes, but we must ask for what is in His will.”   OK, let’s see if the Scriptures give us any insight on the current situation.
 
In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 we read this, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”  Does that sound like it might be God’s will to pray for our nation’s leaders, especially that all might live in peace?

But wait, did you notice the condition of asking for anything in Jesus’ name?  He said that it would be for God to be glorified in the Son.  What kind of scenario could that look like, where asking God for something could bring glory for the Son?  In particular, how could that happen in the present crisis? 

What if the Church rose to the occasion, united across cities and the nation, humbled itself, confessing the sins of the nation, and called on God to give wisdom to our leaders to make the right decisions and to bring peace instead of war?  Or, if war is necessary, to bring victory with minimal loss of life?  If the watching world witnessed this happen, would it not bring renewed respect and honor to the Church and, thus, to its Founder?

Would this ever happen?  Not without motivated leadership.  Certainly, we should pray earnestly in our individual and group prayers for all in authority and for God’s protection and provision, but if we expect public answers to prayer and on a national scale, shouldn’t our prayers also be public and nationwide?  Otherwise, how would God get the glory?  As individuals, what we can do is to pray for our church leaders and ask God to inspire them to raise up a network of churches throughout the country to join in concerted prayer for our nation.

Am I overreacting to the gravity of the situation?  Even if I am, is there any less need for the Church to take the initiative in praying earnestly for our nation, which has little or no regard for God.  If not this crisis, then what greater crisis will it take for the Church to wake up and become active for the welfare and against the spiritual decline of our country?
  For more thoughts on this subject, I encourage you to read Joel Rosenberg’s blog post of August 31, 2013, at this link, “Christians shouldn’t sit on the sidelines in the Syria Crisis.  Here are 4 things we can do.”  Please note especially the list of relevant Scripture verses on prayer at the end of his article.