The way we think

I wouldn’t normally write on this, but for an experience I had a week ago, today. Last thursday I had a dream; and while this in itself is not unusual, the content of my dream was. In it, I was in a massive building, and I was there to see a king, to give a warning. As I waited at a reception desk, I was told that there were appointments available at 4 or 4:30. I wanted the earlier appointment, but the 4:30 stuck out in my mind. I looked around for somewhere to sit and wait, and even asked if there was a waiting area. The reply I received was no, there is no place to sit and wait. I walked around the building, experiencing other things, and came back to the reception area late. I did not make the 4 appointment, I made the 4:30.

Today is 4/30. And today is the National Day of Repentance. Across America, people are joining together in prayer, calling the US to repent. In the New Testament, under the New Covenant, the greek word repentance actually means “to change the way you think.” Interestingly, in the Old Testament, under the law, the word means “remorse or great sorrow”. Today is a day when we who are in relationship with Jesus get to stand in the gap for those who are not and to ask our King of Kings that our nation would begin to change its mind.

I consider intercession a joyful action, a wonderful activity, because it means that I, who am covered in the blood of Jesus, I am seen through the veil of Christ’s actions for me by the Father, get to stand before my Heavenly Father’s throne and come to the defense of those I don’t know, those who are still stuck in sin, those who have given sin authority in their life. I and all the others praying today have the privilege and honor of standing before God, in the same gap that Jesus stands in for us, and asking for mercy, correction, change, restoration and redemption for those who are outside of relationship with Him or have been deceived by lies of the enemy.

Please join me and many, many others across the nation as we pray together that the US would begin to repent. I have included below a passage from Nehemiah. I have found it to be an effective intercessory prayer, because it was made by the remnant over the many who were to be known as God’s people.

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.

“Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

“They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”  Nehemiah 1:5-11

I believe God loves people. But He hates sin. Sin keeps people out of His presence and He loves to be among His people, His creation. My hope and prayer is that we as a Nation would come to repentance and experience revival; that we would steward all that we have been given so that a harvest is reaped ten thousand fold of what’s been planted and His Kingdom would be fully evident upon the earth.