The theme verse for this year’s event is taken from Matthew 12:21, “In His name the nations will put their hope.” Indeed, as Isaiah prophesied long before Jesus was sent from the Father into our world, Christ is the only One who offers true, everlasting hope.
The hope of the nations will never be found in a President or in the next American Idol or rising sports hero. The hope of the nations will never be found in the latest medical breakthrough or greatest technological advance. The hope of the nations will never come in stock market gains, peace treaties, government policies or Hollywood productions.
Jesus is the hope of the nations. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth. He is the Sovereign Ruler and Supreme Justice. He is the King of righteousness and King of glory. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! He is our Rock and Redeemer, Provider and Protector, Comforter and Friend. He is the Shelter in the storm, the Tower of Refuge, our Shield and Defender, our Shepherd and our Savior.
And friend, may I say to you that not only is Jesus the hope of the nations, but He’s the hope of the longing of your soul. Put your trust in Him, for He is the hope that will never fail and never disappoint. He is the living hope, an anchor for your soul, because He has conquered death by rising from the dead and lives forevermore.
If our nation will return in humble repentance and trust in Christ Jesus, we’ll find the steadfast and sure and unshakeable hope of resting securely on the faithfulness of Almighty God. And so will you. As you read through Pastor Laurie’s prayer, please internalize this and make it your own prayer to God on behalf of this land.
Father, we come to You to pray for our nation, the United States of America.
How You have blessed us through the years, Lord! We rightly sing, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee.” Yet we see trouble in our culture today. We see the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, and random acts of horrific violence.
Lord, we need Your help in America. In recent days, we have done our best to remove Your Word and Your counsel from our courtrooms, classrooms and culture. It seems, as President Lincoln once said, that we have “forgotten God.” But Lord, You have not forgotten us! You can bless and help and revive our country again.
Scripture tells us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Lord, in Your mercy, we ask that You would exalt our country again. We have had a number of great awakenings in America. We have experienced times of refreshing, and revivals that changed not only the spiritual but also the moral landscape. As the psalmist said, “Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You” (Psalm 85:6)?
That is our prayer for America today, Lord. Send a mighty spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls back to you. You have told us if we will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that You will forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Chronicles7:14).
Forgive us today, Lord, and heal this troubled land that we love so much.
We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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