If My people pray

"His people are all over the world"

© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I enjoyed studying Jonah so much, the story has been on my mind since last week.  I'm not a pacifist.  I do believe there is a time to fight and defend.  But I couldn't help wondering how many of the wars could be stopped by prayer for repentance. The nations God loves, but are so far from Him.  We are all so tired of the conflicts, the bad news. I've been praying for Iran and Syria (and of course Israel).

Then there's our country...  Our leaders need God's wisdom and discernment so bad.  Even our President has been persuaded that money can change the weather (climate control).  "Just sign here..."  

Meanwhile some of the victims of Superstorm Sandy sleep in tents this winter waiting for a bill to be passed.  There are so many voices of conflict and personal ideas in the White House.  It's got to be confusing.  "If My people pray..." from all the nations.  I wonder...  I'm sure all the nations have issues.

2 Chronicles 7:14 came to mind almost everyday : )  After reflection, I realized in Jonah, Nineveh was given an ultimatum.  They chose to repent.  Then Ecclesiastes came to mind.  This is a beautiful passage about life, written centuries ago by King Solomon.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
NKJV

My prayer (you might have a prayer of your own for your country):

Dear Heavenly Father I lift up the USA to You.  Please heal our country and help us to find the right priorities. Bring repentance Lord.  I pray You will bless our leaders with wisdom and discernment to know the difference between right and wrong.  Forgive us where we've failed You Father.  Please bring homes to those who are without.  Help them to be safe and warm.  Help our government to consider our people first and politics last.  Thank You for the peace we have known and the many blessings we have received.  Please bless America again Father.

In Jesus Name, Amen.