Making a Difference

On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy inspired the nation during his inaugural address when he said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” It was a rallying cry that provoked patriotism and public service in cities across America. The words spoken by JFK on that day can be echoed with a different focus today, that is, “Ask not what God can do for you but what you can do for God.”

It too is a rallying cry designed to provoke each of us to action as citizens, but this time, in the Kingdom of God. It’s a wake up call to rid ourselves of excuses and begin to intercede and labor toward the salvation of lost people. God loves everyone, and He does not want anyone to perish (1 Peter 3:9); yet we remain silent when we should be vocal, dormant when we should be active, and intimidated when we should be bold. Well, it’s time to arise! It’s time to find our voice and make a difference. And we can, through fasting and prayer.

The spirit of disobedience has been unleashed upon our land, the anti-Christ is making headway throughout our communities, and those with whom we have great influence are spiraling toward death as they call what’s wrong, right and what’s right, wrong. Oppression of subculture is on display. Perversion has broken the fabric of sanctity, and division is so pervasive that we’re a nation segregated, segmented and isolated as a people. All this and the body of Christ silently looks for peace and acceptance when there should be a revolt—not against the people God loves, but against the principalities and spiritual hosts of wickedness that are wreaking havoc in our nation.

We need the intervention of God, and that can happen during our forty days of fasting and praying, for people and ourselves. For people, we’ll stand in the gap and pray the veil be removed from minds, that righteousness would prevail on the earth, and that hearts would be tender, no longer hardened in unbelief. It’s called standing in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). Like Moses prayed for Israel during their state of rebellion, we’ll pray mercy, grace and revelation for our country!

In addition, we’ll use the time of fasting and praying to strengthen ourselves spiritually so that we are no longer self-absorbed, but we’re empowered by the Spirit of God as a witness to the earth, an extension of Christ and an Ambassador for His glory. It’s our time to repent for our passivity, renounce our stumbling blocks, and return to wholehearted devotion, so that we are true laborers in His harvest (Luke 10:2).

As intercessors we can make a real difference. “…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)

So, let’s pray.