Prayer for your Nation

Joel 2:15-17 - "Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.¹⁶ Gather the people,consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. ¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations.Why should they say among the peoples,‘Where is their God?

This a powerful verse that call God's people to intercede for their nation. We are fist to intercede for repentance in God's church. A prayer for the people of God who have strayed from the truth and the path of righteousness. A prayer for fresh zeal and power in the Holy Spirit. Then we need to pray for our country that they turn from their sinful ways and come back to the Lord.

There are several things in this passage that really stand out to me. First, everyone is to be involved in intercessory prayer on behalf of the land, even children and nursing mothers. In other words, no exceptions. Secondly, the intensity of the prayer which brings weeping. Lastly, if we don't pray, the nation will become godless. Europe is a great example of a godly nation that became godless. The great continent that used to send missionaries through out the world, now needs missionaries. We in the United States need to be careful that we don't go down the same path.

I call all of God's people old and young to pray on behalf of their country. There are two promises that accompany a nation who calls on the name of the Lord. One, the Lord will take pity and send blessing. ( Joel 2:18-19) Secondly, God will pour out His Spirit. ( Joel 2:28)