“Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]; for your light has come,
And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.
Every day I hear from folks who find themselves vacillating from faith to fear, from hope to despair, and then back again.
This past weekend, at least one hundred thousand people gathered on the Washington Mall to seek God’s mercy, forgiveness, and intervention in our land. People shared how they experienced the tangible sense of God’s presence in that place.
Anne Graham Lotz attended the gathering to speak, pray, and seek God with the others. Recently she joined me on my show to talk about the power of prayer and about her book, “The Light of His Presence: Prayers to draw You Near to the Heart of God.”
We talked about the times in which we find ourselves and Anne said, “The condition of our nation has much to do with the condition of the church.” Culture has shaped us more than we it. But we have today. We have access to God and to His promises. It’s time to be a Church on our knees.
Earlier this week, I spoke with Tom Phillips (VP for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.), and he, like Anne, said that our only hope right now, is for a revival, for God to intervene in the hearts of men and women and children in a way that changes us and our nation forever. Tom suggested we draw a circle around ourselves and ask God to start there, with us.
Here’s an excerpt from Anne’s book where she prays for a national cleansing and revival:
“Most Holy God, in a world of famine, floods, and fire; a world of disease, death, and disruption of our everyday activities, I choose to look up from my knees. I see You seated on the throne of glory, in control of all things. All things. I know that You are a God of mercy, grace, faithfulness, and loving-kindness. So, I reject fear and its impact on my life, and I place my faith in You. You have said that Your ears are open to the cry of Your people, that Your eyes are upon us, and that Your arms are long enough to hold us. Hold me now. Quiet my racing heart. Breathe Your Spirit of peace in me to calm the fear and turmoil.”
Anne goes on to pray prayers of repentance for the sins of our land, and for the sins of our hearts.
This is a time for sober reflection. It’s a time for earnest prayer and deep humility. But not a time for fear. When we abide in Christ, His Word abides in us. His light shines through us.
Jesus calls you the light of the world. So, shine brightly! Expect God to do great things in and through you. Don’t shrink back. Rise up. We serve a God of the breakthrough.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”