“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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

As our nation votes and awaits the results of the presidential election, would you join me in praying for our country? Pray that both parties and candidates are able to receive the will of the people of these United States. Pray that there is a smooth and peaceful transition for the new administration. Pray that our country will move on from the election to bringing healing to our land.

There are few things more powerful and more effective for change than prayer.

A devout Catholic, Queen Mary, the queen of the Scots saw the power of prayer that was sweeping through Scotland because of the prayers of a protestant named John Knox. She is purported to say, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than the assembled armies of Europe.”

Join me in praying for our nation.

The Little Church and Lakewoodgrace is entering “A Season of Great Anticipation and Expectation.” God is up to something great. No one knows what the future holds. But, God does. Will you join me in praying for the future of God’s ministry through the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace?

I am asking you to join me in the hard work and ministry of prayer on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 as we lift up prayers for the world, our country, our city, and our church.

God promised – “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Join me in prayer. Wednesdays at 6:15pm.

Was at Safeway a few weeks ago. It was dark and the parking lot at Safeway on Steilacoom Blvd is not very well lit. Came out of the store with the things Helen asked me to bring home when I noticed an SUV driving in with its tailgate up and lights out. They stopped by the pumpkins that were piled up outside and I heard a mom yelling at the kids to hurry and get out to get the pumpkins in the car. Three kids jumped out of the car and started putting the pumpkins into the back of the SUV and they sped off the parking lot. Not sure how many pumpkins they managed to steal.

As I saw the whole thing taking place, the first emotion I felt was anger. Why do people resort to stealing? What are they going to do with all those pumpkins anyway?

And then, the more I thought about the incident, I was just saddened by the whole thing.

• What kind of a mom brings their kids to steal pumpkins?
• What desperate situation must the family be facing that the mom would resort to doing something like that?
• What kind of a society have we become where brazen things happen?

We are a society that doesn’t know how to take care of one another. We are a society where values and morals do not matter. We are a society that desperately needs to turn to Jesus. We need to repent and we need to return to God.

Every great empire faced its end by moral corruption from the inside. Very few empires were destroyed by a foreign foe. As great as America is, the moral trajectory we are on mirrors the downfall of the great empires of the past.

More than ever, what our country needs is Jesus.

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2-3).

Back in the day, the refiner’s job was to burn away the impurities found in silver and gold. The refiner would take the ore or the silver and gold and burn it in the fire. The fire would burn away the impurities. The refining process was complete when the refiner was able to see his face reflecting back at him.

God’s word is like the refiner’s fire. God uses his word to burn away all impurities. When we are refined by God’s word, God’s holiness, God’s truth, we too will reflect God’s character in our lives.

Because we are repeat sinners, before God’s word builds up and encourages the saints, God’s word corrects and rebukes us. That’s what the burning and refining process is. It starts with confession and repentance. And as the refiner continues his work of burning away our impurities, will God’s word move to build up and shape his children.

So, Christian, do you find yourself daily confessing and repenting? If we do not start there, the Christian life goes nowhere.