Displaying items by tag: repentance

What a subject!   What a year!   What an occasion!   To be able to connect praying people around the world has never before in history been possible until recently.   And this has all gathered pace in the season we are in as the world is alarmed and the church is awakened by this coronavirus pandemic.

For sure, we are all living through times of unparalleled challenges and change.   Countless millions around the world are affected – but how we each respond will determine the outcome.    It’s not just about the pandemic, but it’s also about our ways of life, our economies, our future and that of our children.   So how should the church respond?

One night king Solomon had a divine encounter, in which God said “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by 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 hear their land” (2 Chronicles 7.13-14).

In the past year or so Australia and parts of the United States have had unprecedented lack of rain, and consequently huge bush fires displacing thousands of people.  East African countries have suffered from plagues of locusts described as of “biblical proportions”.   Parts of China and South Asia have experienced catastrophic and devastating floods.  And the plague of “Covid 19” has claimed the lives of over a million people and affected the lives and livelihoods of many millions more.   So how should the church respond?

Some parts of the world continue to suffer appallingly because of ongoing conflict and terrorism.  Others have had to face up to ongoing discrimination between black and white on the back of the historic slave trade.  Meanwhile a more modern slavery scandal has been largely unnoticed.   Human trafficking of many thousands of people across borders – regarded as “refugees” or “migrants” - include thousands of children and young people, being sold both for sexual exploitation and for what is termed the “harvesting” of human body parts - a practice that is both sickening and inhumane.  Political upheaval also continues in many nations.   I’ve lost count of the number of corruption investigations and trials that are in progress among national leaders in multiple countries.    So how should the church respond?

I think we need to fall on our knees before God and cry out – “God have mercy upon us”.

“But”, some may think, “much of this is not church sin.”   No, but we are part of this world.  The apostle Paul said “we are all God’s offspring.. and commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17.29-31).  Repentance is not an option – it is a command!   And if we as God’s chosen followers – whether Jewish or Christian – do not set the example, how can the rest of the world be expected to follow suit?    God watches and waits for those who are in tune with Him to “stand in the gap”.

We can start by repenting of our own personal sin and sins.  “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1. 8-10).   Solomon (a king who was flawed in character, but nevertheless knew what God required) reminded us in Proverbs 6 that there are seven things that God hates – haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who lies and anyone who stirs up conflict in the community.

And then there are the many corporate sins that exist – both current and historic.   Sin that is not repented of is not swept under the carpet.   Heaven remembers them.   King David had to deal with the sin of his predecessor, Saul, when he shed the innocent blood of the Gibeonites (see 2 Samuel 21), and Jesus accused the Jewish leaders of His day of the unrepented sins of history, including the  killing of their prophets hundreds of years previously - “and so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth” (see Matthew 23 v. 13 onwards, and particularly v.35-36).   That is huge!

And then comes this cry from the heart of Jesus and the courts of heaven “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing!”   Here is the expression of mercy and love and compassion – but He was unable to show it because there was sin in the way in history, and in them His people.

So how are we, His people, going to respond to this in our day?  We need to take the promise within 2 Chronicles 7.14 seriously, and realise that God said He would respond when we do what he looks for.   Humble ourselves,  Pray, Seek His face, and Turn from our wicked ways.   When we do that, perhaps then, God can do what He promises – hear our prayer, forgive our sin and heal our land – wherever we are.

But we need to do that representationally, identifying with the sin and with those who have committed that sin or those sins.  

As a European I need to confess and repent of so many things.   The shedding of innocent blood in particular.  Europe is the most blood-stained Continent in the world, and yet it was the Continent that God called the apostle Paul to come and evangelise.   Oh, yes we sent our missionaries around the world, but we ourselves have become spiritually destitute.  We have largely turned away from God and embraced a secular way of life.   In this Continent various “isms” have been birthed and then influenced the rest of the world – existentialism, humanism, secularism, Communism, Nazi-ism, materialism, and so on.   And then there are the church divisions that have been both historic and contemporary – are we prepared to own up to them?

As a white British male, there are many sins I need to confess, acknowledge and turn from - to do with racial superiority or colonialism – the list is endless.   And for those from other parts of the world there may be reciprocal ingrained attitudes that may have been caused by those corporate sins.   There may be tribal, or nationalistic or political hatreds and inbred, generational or family prejudices and resentments, giving rise to ongoing acts or attitudes of revenge.  

What happens when we do what God is asking of us?   Then He begins to bring forgiveness into marred human relationships and between tribes and nations.  When we apologise in public for the sins of our group or nation, something shifts.   Those on the receiving end of such apology frequently testify “something broke in my spirit” or “I never before realised I had such antagonism towards you or your nation – but God has revealed it and dealt with it”.   If that happens at the human level – what has also happened in heaven?

Many of us in the International prayer and Reconciliation movements have numerous stories of what God has done as a result of public acknowledgement of sin coupled with genuine repentance.   Tears have flowed, forgiveness has been expressed, relationships healed.   Wars have ceased, enemies have been reconciled, land has been healed – literally, and national change has occurred.   Politicians and royalty have made public apologies, changed national policies, engaged in acts of retribution.   And if that has happened at national level and in the hearts of ordinary people, we can only conjecture as to how our Father in heaven has felt.   For sure, He will know that the sacrifice of His Son on the Cross has not been in vain, but has accomplished all this and much more.

But there is more that God will do.   He wants the whole world to know of His love.   One of my mentors was the late Dr. J Edwin Orr.  He used to ply me with stories of what happened in times of revival or spiritual awakening.   He would frequently point out that every revival in history has been preceded by “extraordinary prayer” and “produced an unusual conviction of sin, resulting in repentance, confession, reconciliation and restitution, with great concern for the salvation of sinners near at hand and far away.” 

Isn’t that what we are looking for in this season?   Isn’t that what God is also looking for?   The timing of God’s answers is in His hands.   We can’t insist that He does what He promised.  But we can be sure that He will.

Many books have been written telling some of the stories – too many to be listed here!   But maybe, if you have time to watch, this dialogue produced some years ago for an American TV channel might help to whet your appetite.

Let’s humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways.   Then perhaps He will turn the hearts of many towards His Son before His Return.

Brian Mills – Interprayer | International Prayer Connect Leadership Team

“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 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 7:13-14

God is calling us, the Body of Christ, to come together, fall on our knees and confess the sin of our nation, repenting corporately, with ONE VOICE before Him.  Once that is done, God says He will hear us, forgive us and heal our land! In order to do that, we must be convicted of our sin, and be willing to repent, not  just give lip service.

“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8

God is asking us if we are willing to receive the burden of “conviction of the sin of this nation” in our hearts. As we agree, we will be empowered to pray effectively in repentance for our nation!

We are engaged in a spiritual battle...a warfare of love! Many in the Body of Christ are deeply concerned about the extreme danger being posed by the anti-Christ spirit, which is operating against not only our President but the United States of America at this very hour, trying to undermine and destroy our very foundations. Americans are distracted by a never-ending stream of “urgent” matters, while the media floods the airwaves 24/7 with “fake news” in an attempt to control our minds and instill fear in our hearts! What is taking place is a battle, against not only our Government but against individuals, families, churches and communities. It is an all-out war against the American way of life...and it has already been launched! “We, The People” are under attack!

Unless the Body of Christ repents and then rises up in prayer, the United States will have no future.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate. Joel 2:12-13

Nothing is too far out of reach that God cannot revive it. Repentance does not happen spontaneously. It first takes place in individual hearts, is nurtured by prayer and fasting, and is then birthed into the larger arena, often through solemn assemblies. In Scripture, these solemn assemblies were often called by priests, prophets or kings, for the entire nation. Prior to every national awakening in the United States, there was an emphasis on repentance, with fasting and prayer. Throughout our history, 788 solemn assemblies for national repentance took place!

The blessing of national repentance is not only that God heals and blesses the nation, but also that a passion for His Presence is stirred up in the Body of Christ.

During the Civil War, as President Abraham Lincoln struggled to mend a divided and war-torn nation and re-center Americans around God and prayer, he issued a proclamation on March 30, 1863, calling for a “Day of National Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer.” The text of Lincoln’s proclamation has pointed lessons for today, as our nation is once again deeply divided. It repeatedly references God, calls on Americans to turn back to prayer and acknowledges the importance that God plays in human affairs. It was indeed a “call to repent before God” which is appropriate for us today.  (CLICK HERE for the full text)

Today, October 3, 2019, we, the undersigned, call the Body of Christ to a DAY OF CORPORATE REPENTANCE for the United States of America, to take place on Sunday, November 3, 2019, as a step toward a NATIONAL DAY OF REPENTANCE!

More info on the Facebook Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/395409681133569/

John Robb, Founder, National Prayer Assembly (USA),
Chairman, International Prayer Council,
International Coordinator, World Prayer Assembly (2012)
(Co-signed by 121 others

Warwick Marsh an Australian Prayer leader who is the Coordinator for the Canberra Declaration, after much consultation with Australian Christian leaders feels challenged to call the Nation to Pray & Fast for rain in October.

James Condon the Chairman of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting (NDOPF) and the Executive team of the NDOPF are also endorsing this prayer call as are many other Christian leaders, Churches and Christian Ministries all over the nation.

Australia is desperate for rain but our nation’s greatest need is for Repentance and Renewal. 

Watch this 3 minute video about the drought: https://vimeo.com/344449314

Every state in Australia has encountered some level of drought over the last several years. Some areas of Northern NSW and Southern Queensland as well as WA, SA and NT are equal to the driest on record. Some say the worst drought ever.

Some towns in Australia are about to run out of water and some towns have already run out of water. Elders Long Range Forecast shows little indication of significant rain over the next 28 days. The Bureau of Meteorology are forecasting a hot dry spring and summer.

In regional drought affected areas one farmer a week is committing suicide. The needs at every level in the bush in regional Australia are massive. 

Now is the time for both prayer and action.

Register now to receive daily devotions and login details for the daily 8PM AEST Time Pray for Rain calls from the 1 – 31st of October 2019 at WWW.CANBERRADECLARATION.ORG.AU/PRAYER-FOR-RAIN

Australia has a desperate need for RAIN, but we have an even more desperate need for God. We pray that as we get down on our knees to pray for RAIN in October that God will give us the grace of REPENTANCE and the RENEWAL of our love for our Father in Heaven. 2 Chronicles 7:14

1. Pray for Repentance – Father give us the grace to repent as a nation in Jesus Name: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19
2. Pray for Renewal – Lord we pray for renewal in our hearts, in the church, in the community and in the nation: “And now I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken… The Lord is long suffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving the iniquity and transgression (of the nation) … Pardon the iniquity of this people I pray, according to the greatness of your mercy… Then God said, ‘I have pardoned according to your word’.” Numbers 14:17-20
3. Pray for Rain – Father we pray as we unite together to pray the first two prayers that you will give us the rain because of your abundant mercies: “The Lord sends the rain on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:45

We encourage our friends overseas to share this call for a Month of Prayer & Fasting for REPENTANCE, RENEWAL & RAIN  1 -31 October 2019 with your own prayer group, church and Denominational leaders.

Yours for Revival & Rain

Warwick Marsh - Canberra Declaration
http://WWW.CANBERRADECLARATION.ORG.AU/PRAYER-FOR-RAIN

Pope Francis visited Ireland on 25 and 26 August and begged forgiveness for clerical child sex abuse. He said no-one could fail to be moved by stories of those who ‘suffered abuse, were robbed of their innocence, and left scarred by painful memories’. In a speech at Dublin Castle, the Pope expressed his shame at the Catholic Church's failure to address adequately the ‘repellent crimes’ of sex abuse by clergy. He later met eight survivors of sexual abuse, telling them that he viewed clerical sex abuse as ‘filth’. Since the last Papal visit Ireland has ‘modernised’ laws on abortion, contraception, divorce and same-sex marriage. Pray for the church to move on, even stronger, now that past sins are repented of.

A momentous prayer meeting, likely to have lasting significance, has taken place in South Africa’s parliament. The focus was reconciliation. White people asked forgiveness from blacks, who in turn confessed their sins against the white community. Many were brought to tears during an extended time of prayer and confession. MP Steve Swart confessed the government’s anti-Semitism during World War II, when Jews fleeing the Holocaust were not allowed to disembark in Cape Town. The meeting was held in the parliament’s former main chamber where many discriminatory laws were passed. As Ezra drew people back to God by reading the Law, so South Africa is experiencing restoration in spirit and in truth. People repented of apartheid, inferior education, corrupt laws, detentions, imprisonments, discrimination, tortures and violence. To comprehend the enormity of the meeting, click the ‘More’ link.

Stephen Green of Christian Voice recently wrote, ‘Our leaders try to run things in their own wisdom. Even though our Queen was anointed to reign under the authority of God in the Name of Jesus Christ and given the Holy Bible as “the rule for the whole life and government of Christian princes,” her ministers have passed law after law in opposition to the will of God.’ Good laws might not make men good, but they can restrain the wicked, and bad laws encourage evil. We must pray for our Government as never before, and pray that God will raise up men like John Knox and John Wesley in Britain today to call the nation to repentance. Pray for our nation and its people to turn from the belief that mankind knows best and to trust in God again. Pray for Christians in Parliament and all who are led by God’s Spirit in positions of authority to be strong in His power.

As we remember the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we need to make every effort to overcome the division in the Church that followed the Reformation. In the churches in Germany and Europe there is a growing consciousness that the body of Christ can only reflect Christ and be a powerful and effective witness in society when working in unity. We need to look for our identity as Christians in denominations and the differences between us, but in Christ. Following on from their joint word for 2017, ‘Healing of memories - witnessing to Jesus Christ’, the German Bishops’ Conference and the Protestant Church of Germany have made an open invitation to a central repentance and reconciliation service in the Michaeliskirche in Hildesheim on 11 March. What Christians have caused in suffering and injury to one another in the 500 years of separation will be confessed and mutually forgiven. Unity of the body of Christ also needs alignment with God’s word to stand against the misappropriation of the gospel to support ungodly policies.