As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. -- Isaiah 55:10-11

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Start with Me

I keep hearing people say to pray for rain. According to Deuteronomy 23 the reason for drought in any area of life is sin.

So we pray for for God to forgive our nation.

But look at the verse people keep quoting:

2 Chronicles 7:14
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.

It does not say "nation" or "country". It says "people". It is personal.

Seems to me if we want to see our land healed and abundance and prosperity restored we need to ask God to show us our personal sins, ask forgiveness for them, and truly "turn from their wicked ways".

It is easy for me to look in the mirror and think I'm not so bad, certainly not wicked, but it doesn't matter how I see me. It matters who God sees me, so when I go before Him to ask for forgiveness, first I ask Him what He sees, what He wants to change, what He desires to purify. Then I pray in agreement with Him, that what I am doing is sinful to HIM, that His heart is to forgive, and that He desires to purify me for His sake...and mine.

So I'm praying for rain in every area of my life, and I am praying for God to heal my city, my state, and my country. And I'm asking Him to start with me.

3 comments:

mizzbrizz said...

I was just thinking about Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" song and thinking about how we all need to start there. It's about me because that's all I can change. The rest is left to God and the choice of others to do the same. Bring the rain!!

My daily walk in His grace! said...

Hi Jerri - what a great post. We're always encouraged to pray for our leaders etc and the verse you quoted etc, but at the end of the day, you are so right, Lord start with me!
God bless
Tracy

Jerri Kelley said...

Mizzbrizz, I read your last sentence--

BRING THE RAIN!

And the most intense feeling of electricity filled me and settled deep in me. Yes, my friend, BRING THE RAIN!!!

Tracy, bless you, dear one!