Let Us Pray

We live in the greatest nation on earth—actually, the greatest nation in the history of the world. But we’re not great because we’re so smart, or strong, or moral. We’re great because God has been good to us. Throughout our history, God really has shed His grace on us.

This country is also great because, from the very beginning, there’s always been a remnant in America—a people who honored His Word, walked in His ways, and cried out to God on behalf of the nation. Even when the majority turned away, God always had a faithful few who gathered together, frequently, and said, “Let us pray.”

When the Continental Congress gathered in 1774, their first act wasn’t political. It was spiritual. They prayed—to the King of Kings, in the name of Jesus. This nation was founded with its knees on the ground. In actuality, the first prayer was louder than “the first shot heard around the world.” We had Founding Fathers, yes—but we also had Founding Fires. Prayer was one of those fires. And God set this nation on fire with a passion for freedom because people prayed.

Another Founding Fire? Preachers who weren’t afraid to speak the truth. The British called these providers and proclaimers of the Gospel the Black Robe Regiment. They caused quite a stir and made quite the impact. In fact, this group of courageous preachers were credited by the British as one of the primary reasons for American Independence and the sort of government this nation formed.

But after we won independence, something shifted. We gained freedom from the king of England—and started acting like we were free from the King of Kings too.

Our history isn’t perfect, and if you step back and look, you can see patterns that look parallel to Israel’s story in the Old Testament. Righteousness, rebellion, retribution, and restoration. It’s a cycle–not just for Israel, but for humanity. Immediately after the British were defeated, God was no longer needed for many of the victors. Church attendance dropped. Pride crept in. The Enlightenment that traversed the Atlantic pushed God to the periphery within the collective American Mind. Reason was elevated over revelation. And once again, the cycle repeated.

But God wasn’t finished with this nation. God stirred the waters again. The Second Great Awakening sprang up and swept across the land. Circuit riders spread the Gospel to the masses, riding thousands of miles on horseback. Preachers like Richard Allen, Harry Hoosier, and Francis Asbury began, through the power of the Holy Spirit, lighting fires in the hearts of the people again. God moved. People repented. The nation began to find its moral compass again and, finally, abolished the sin of slavery.

The nation was broken. The Church was split. Families were destroyed.

But once again, God raised up leaders and preachers like D.L. Moody to call the people back to prayer. A generation before another powerful movement of God surfaced, Moody said, “If you want revival, draw a six foot circle on the floor, stand in that circle and say, ‘Lord, let it begin here.’”

This became the central prayer for the remnant in the land, which paved the way for a late 19th century, early 20th century movement of the Holy Spirit–The Holiness movement. It was a new, fresh Pentecostal outpouring. Revivals such as the one on Azusa Street, fanned the flame within thousands of believers and won over thousands more. The people of this land became hungry for more of God. The Church was revived and new expressions of the Christian Faith erupted, forming holiness centered denominations and associations.

But over time, the church got quiet again, especially after WWII. The people of God in America became complacent. Materialism consumed the majority. God was forgotten by many and the results were devastating.

Prayer was taken out of schools. Abortion was legalized. Most Christians said nothing. In that silence came the sexual revolution, a new wave of Marxism, the beginning of moral relativism, and the rise of postmodernity.

We now live in a culture that believes truth is subjective.

Over the last few years, these destructive ideologies and perspectives have coalesced, resulting in identity politics, spreading hostility and confusion and, ultimately, creating a colossal identity crisis for thousands.

Last year, I felt a storm coming, one of judgement. And I believe many of you also felt this storm on the horizon. In unison we said, “Let us pray.” We cried out, “Lord, have mercy. We’ve heard of what You’ve done before—do it again. In our day. Bring us back. Let us become, one more time, one nation under God.”

Now here we are today, with a window of opportunity to see a movement of God, another Great Awakening that will make the first two seem like weekend retreats.

I’m telling you—we’ve got a chance. It’s not over. Not if we humble ourselves. Not if we pray. Not if we draw that circle and say, “Start with me.”

It’s time to pray.

Time to repent.

Time to return.

Let us pray.