I live rather remotely from any sizable city. I am 20 miles in any direction from populations. Our community is a little hidden green valley within the mountains; population approximately 1000 persons. We also only have one church. Today is the National Day of Prayer, so yesterday morning I was searching for a prayer gathering that I might take part in within any of those larger cities. I did not find many, but this one caught my eye and caused a gasp. It listed a time and place and these activities: Fun—Food—Laughter—Music—Prayer. I believe I may have stumbled upon some of our problems.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
“So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.” (Joel 2:13)
“Then God saw their works that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.” (Jonah 3:10)
Beloved, we can schedule a prayer day or prayer meeting, but we cannot schedule the results God desires. We can plan a Revival, that is an evangelistic event, but we cannot conjure up genuine revival of the child of God or of His Church. What God is seeking within us is our humbled mourning over our sin. The National Day of Prayer is a good thing, but we must go deeper. We must not arrogantly plan one, but what is needed desperately is a day of repentance; a day of sorrow, grief, mourning because of our sinfulness. Repentance is not an option in relationship with God; in fact, it is the only path. “Without repentance, there can be no forgiveness.” (Luke 13:3)
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
We cannot ask darkness to disappear; we must turn on the Light! Repentance equals Light, Holiness, and submission to our Holy God that allows His Glory to be seen in and through us. My friend, a National Day of Repentance would be great, but it must begin in you with a personal day of repentance. Your light is growing dim; turn on His Light in your life. Pray On, in Repentance!
