Changing A Nation

Almost everyone agrees that America has been heading in the wrong direction financially, socially and morally, but there are few who agree on just how to correct our course. Some are so desperate for change they sign on to just about anything without understanding the long term affects of those changes. As Christians we know it is impossible to steer a nation in the right direction without God’s help and guidance. Since many of our elected leaders do not believe or trust in God they especially need our prayers just as all do.

God’s People have more power to change the political landscape of a nation through thanksgiving and prayer than through the ballot box. We all should participate in elections, but as Christians we have something more powerful than our vote. Changing the ruling party or replacing individuals in office may be necessary but history reveals it has not resulted in turning our nation toward righteousness. God has given us the recipe in His word for bringing about the transformation of a nation.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Tim 2:1-3 NKJV

Many elected officials do not embrace the same values and beliefs that most Christians do and consequently make unrighteous and unwise decisions. The natural tendency is to get caught up in complaints and criticism rather than holding them up in prayer. The bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue and the tongue is like a flame that is set on fire of hell. With our tongue we bless God then turn and curse men who are made in His image. (See James 3) The very fact that all men are made in God’s image is reason enough to thank God for them even for those who lack righteous standards. Our thanksgiving and prayer of blessing has the power to set them up for divine influence.

Those in darkness will see a great light. God Himself first turned on the light as He began to transform the earth. (See Genesis 1) How can we complain about our elected officials making seemingly blind choices while we are the ones holding the light? Jesus came as the light of the world then gave us His glory that we might be a light in the darkness. Complaints and criticism only reinforce the darkness while praise and thankfulness sends it fleeing in confusion. Coming out of darkness into a bright light can actually have a blinding effect. We must not assume failure if at first the light is rejected but allow time for their eyes to adjust so to speak.

We know that God’s desire is that all nations yield to His standards of righteousness and justice but we must understand His ways to accomplish that end. Romans chapter 13 tells us God has ordained earthly government officials as ministers that are not opposed to good but to evil. We are to be subject to them with all due respect. To honor those in authority is to honor God. I know it is difficult to honor someone who does not honor God himself but we honor the position which God established regardless of the person’s beliefs or actions. Though some leaders promote unrighteous standards God’s way of turning them around is not by our opposition.

There are examples in scripture of righteous men and women who influenced nations for good. Daniel honored the king of Babylon without compromising his own personal righteousness. He was a light in a dark place and eventually found favor and influence with king Nebuchadnezzar. Though living in a foreign land and called by a strange name, Daniel stood strong and confident in God and in his own identity. He was associated with the magicians and sorcerers of Egypt and many likely thought he was just another one of them, but at just the right time God put him on display. When none of the king’s wise men knew his dream and its interpretation he commanded that they all be put to death. One might think the death of all Egypt’s sorcerers would be God’s justice but Daniel prevented their execution by stepping into their shoes so to speak revealing the king’s dream and its interpretation. He patiently waited for God to set the stage that he might shine and be proven to be of a different spirit. Through honoring the king and in a sense covering the failure of those who had no answers, Daniel lighted up the darkness. (See Daniel chapter 1) Who among us today serves patiently and quietly behind the scene waiting for that perfect moment when the king needs answers to the most perplexing problems? Who will humbly stand having answers from God without shaming the long trusted wise men that are at a loss for words but will rather save their bacon if you will?

Thanksgiving and prayer leads to sanctification.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 1Tim 4:1-6 NKJV

This portion of scripture speaks of those who departed from the faith. Their misguided attempt at righteousness and holiness led to abstinence and separating themselves from the very things God declared holy, clean and acceptable. Their form of sanctification resulted in division rather than unity. In Acts 10 God gave Peter a vision of unclean animals and told him to kill and eat. Peter refused reminding God that he had never eaten anything unclean. The vision was God’s way of showing Peter that He had made acceptable and clean that which was formerly unclean, including the gentiles who were formerly excluded from the Jewish covenant.

Doctrines of demons arise from the word of God appearing to be authentic yet lacking the element of a love relationship. His word is perverted and misapplied to lead believers away from the faith. Faith gives thanks and sees the end result from the beginning without complaining or criticizing. Applying this principal to our view of elected officials brings them into the light and under the influence of heavenly wisdom. They are separated from darkness and brought into the light of heaven.

Paul speaks of another sanctification process in 1 Corinthians 7:14. The unbelieving husband is sanctified by his believing wife so that their children are not unclean. As the believing wife honors and prays with thankfulness for her unbelieving husband he is set apart from the atmosphere of this cursed world under the influence of God’s Spirit. Though each person has to receive Christ by their own will, this sanctification creates a canopy of divine influence. The unclean is sanctified by the word of God as we agree with and speak what He says. God will influence those we hold up in prayer with thanksgiving.

Our elected officials, believers or non, can be set apart and made open to receive divine instructions if we will bless them and speak God’s word and will over them. God wants to receive the glory for turning the hearts of leaders who oppose Him. Pointing out faults and speaking correction will not bring about godly change but will actually hinder the work of God.

We can also apply the advice Peter gave to women who have unsaved husbands. In my own shortened version of 1 Peter 3: 1-4 he said, “Do not try to win them by preaching the bible or by appealing to their natural senses but through the submission of a meek and quiet spirit.” In other words allow the good work of Christ within to speak to their heart. Let the fruit of the Spirit in our lives to be the attraction rather than leaning on our own knowledge and understanding.

God has voted His people into office, we are His elect leaders. As intercessors we can not look for neutral ground and think we can just watch this battle unfold, we are either for Christ or against Him. We can choose to cry out to God for mercy and forgiveness on behalf those who do not see or we can be used by the accuser to continually remind God of sins He has already paid for and defeated. We must approach these issues with humility and a servant heart knowing the victory is ours. Though the battle is the Lord’s and the victory is assured we only realize it through giving thanks for all men in every circumstance, and blessing those who oppose us.

Joseph is an excellent example. He knew he was destined for greatness yet he did not exalt himself or criticize those over him. Even while unjustly imprisoned, he served his way to a place of authority. He did not campaign against the present leadership pointing out their faults but showed excellence in wisdom and was of a different spirit. He came along side those in authority and served them honorably. Even when falsely accused and imprisoned, he maintained humility and did not take on a victim mentality.

In this present age, those in darkness are held under the influence of principalities, powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. It is God’s plan for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as in heaven. Praying in faith first affects change in the unseen realm before it is manifest in the natural. As we take our place in intercession and giving thanks for all men, blessing and not cursing, the darkness will retreat and divine influence will dominate earth’s atmosphere. Those who are in darkness shall see a great light. Leaders who formerly made poor decisions and passed unjust laws will see the truth because of the light. We know the scripture itself is a lamp and a light unto our path, but even the best of us need the illumination of God’s Spirit to bring revelation and understanding to it. Quoting scripture alone will not chase out darkness without that heavenly light being turned on. The light switch is moved by our tongue. Praise and thanksgiving to God for all men turns it on while complaints and criticism turns it off. How much power is that? Do we even have a clue?

May the church be the light that reveals God’s truth to those in darkness, not by our words of correction but through honoring and serving those in authority. May our own praise and thanksgiving draw down the atmosphere of heaven to earth that the lost might taste and see that He is good.

60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. NKJV