Praying God’s Glory Across the Earth

Our nation is suffering right now. The COVID-19 pandemic has touched almost every aspect of our lives. The problems our world is facing are too large for human comprehension. 

Culturally, our society is becoming more and more secular, and citizens often seek rescue from the government. Government plays an important role in our lives. God created the institution of government to protect its citizens and provide vital services. However, the government can’t restore hearts and minds, nurture spirits, and save souls.

Never before have we so desperately needed God’s intervention. The promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 gives us God’s prescription for change.

“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.”

History teaches us that God often uses praying people as conduits for change. One life at a time, an entire nation’s destiny can be changed when God’s people humble themselves and unite in prayer. 

The moral impact of the First Great Awakening (1734-1760) is often credited for the system of government that was established following the American Revolution after concerned believers prayed. During the Second Great Awakening (1790-1840), Christ followers cried out to God in repentance, resulting in reform movements to address the societal evils of child labor, poverty, the suppression of women, and the terrible blight of slavery. 

Preoccupied with wealth, hearts had grown spiritually cold by 1857. The Great Prayer Revival (1857-1858) sprang forth in New York City when a concerned businessman decided to pray that God would change people’s hearts. As the stock market crashed, his small prayer meeting began to grow. People needed God, and at its peak, 10,000 people came to the prayer meeting daily with as many as 50,000 people being converted every week.

Due to the pandemic, we won’t be assembling in large groups inside buildings and churches to pray on May 7th. The encouraging news, though, is God’s people will still gather to pray using modern technology. 

The theme for the May 7th National Day of Prayer is “Pray God’s Glory Across the Earth,” which is based on Habakkuk 2:14.

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Our friends, families, neighbors, and business colleagues are hurting. They need our care and prayerful support. I invite you to join hundreds of believers across Nebraska for a statewide prayer call. Governor Pete Ricketts will update us on Nebraska’s COVID-19 response and Nebraska faith leaders will lead us in prayer.

I’m all in for praying together via conference call. Are you?

Join hundreds of Nebraskans on Thursday as we unite in prayer for God to intervene on behalf of our nation amidst the heartbreak of this crisis.