40 DAYS

Forgive me if this message comes from out of the blue. For me it doesn't. I was asked to write the prayers on the blog for the local 40 Days for Life. These 40 days are a time of fasting and praying for our nation and for the victims and perpetrators of abortion - for God to bring an end to abortion in our nation. It is interesting and not a mistake that these 40 days coincide with the 40 Days to Pray the Vote that ends in the election of our new president. God's people are praying for our nation. If you are already praying THANK YOU!. If not, please join us for the next 25 days.

After listening to the news last night - perhaps because of the accumulation of news over the past weeks - it finally became clear to me that these 40 days are critical. Then I remembered the story of Jonah and their response of fasting. I didn't realize until I re-read the passage - that Jonah warned them of 40 days before judgment. Really! Oh my!

Jonah 3:3-5 Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city—a visit required three days. (It takes three days to drive across the United States) 4 On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "FORTY MORE DAYS and Nineveh will be overturned." 5 The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

Lord, we are not yet through your 40 days until the election. The Ninevites only needed ONE announcement! Lord God almighty – you have established your 40 day warning throughout the land. You have called your people to 40 days of prayer and fasting through 40 Days For Life and the Presidential Prayer Team’s 40 Days to Pray the Vote. You have sent your Jonahs. They are HERE.

Lord as your judgment wheels continue to roll through our nation. HELP us to hear your warning. We think a mere 5 minute prayer in the morning will assuage your wrath? We think one or two days of fasting will stop your judgement?

Lord let the terror of your truth descend upon your holy ones and bring them in desperate remorse to your heavenly throne. Give them voice and let their message be heard throughout the land. Let us respond as Ninevah Lord. “The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.”

Too long we have believed - you will give America another chance. Too long we have depended on you to extend your grace one more year. Too long have we grown comfortable with the detestable practices around us.

Finally, Lord, the warning signs are noticed even by the ungodly. Finally, Lord there is a sense of impending doom for the godly and the ungodly. Don’t let up until your holy ones are on their knees calling out to you for the Spirit of Repentance to fall on our nations. Don’t let up until WE BELIEVE YOU and declare a fast from the greatest to the least. It isn’t a game anymore – we can’t pretend anymore that things are OK.

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us!

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on us!