Repentance in our state

[Please join me in praying for our state, nation, and world on Tuesdays this year.]

“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12 NIV)

Having moved into this state 25 years ago, I have had time to meet some of her people and watch her struggle during those years. Her economics, government, battles on social issues, and the constant tug between competing ideologies (which can be traced back to the cosmic struggle between good and evil), create a background for this state’s many people. The people who have grow up here, while often not immediately embracing of outsiders, generally warm up to newcomers and – eventually – you hear their stories. Stories of generations of people who have lived, worked, loved, watched their children and grandchildren grow up, fought for what they believed, served their country, community, and churches, and loved the beauty of this state. The current conflict and mess in politics, economics, and social issues saddens many who love the beauty and people of this place. The “fruit” produced by this mess is often economic instability, broken families and children, injustice and even death, and a whole host of things that go against God’s good plan for us.

Jesus told the Pharisees and Sadducees to “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (Matthew 3:8 NIV). The good fruit that reflects God’s love, joy, peace, hope, and justice always comes out of hearts atuned to God because those hearts are soft and repentant. So, today, let us pray for repentance in this state so that good spiritual fruit can spill over into her economy, her government, her social circles, and – most importantly – her people.

Holy God,

Thank you for the beauty and people of this state. Thank you for the gifts and blessings you have bestowed on her, and for the many, many generations of people who have prayerfully interceded for her. Today we pray that her people would humble themselves before you and repent for their sins. We pray that leaders of government, business, your Church, and families, and that all other Christians would humble themselves, seek your face, turn from their wicked ways, and seek you to heal this state. May we grow in our humility and somberly surrender to you for your way and help in our state. Grow within this state the fruit of righteousness, humility, and Spirit-led living. May your Church not despair or give up hope, but trust that you will not abandon your people. Spirit of God, move in our land as we worship you, cry out to you, and see you move in this place and time. We ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.

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

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)