A National Confession

Posted on May 3, 2007
Filed Under Personal | 7 Comments

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are an ungrateful people who deserve to be abandoned and forsaken.

No other nation has been blessed as you have blessed us. You have gathered together a people from all over the earth, from every nation and every race. You brought them to this land, a land which flows with milk and honey, a land in the prime of latitude, a land protected by the seas and filled with the treasures of rich soil and golden resources, a land with abundant rivers and lakes, bountiful prairies, timber, and wildlife.

Those whom you first gathered here entered into a covenant with you for this nation—a covenant now forsaken, broken by our sinfulness and pride. You gave us blessings, we now return curses. You gave us freedom, we have enslaved. You gave us the privilege to be creative stewards, but we now produce mountains of filth. You gave us immense beauty, but we now create that which is vile.

Is there any remaining grace for us for which we might appeal?

Our families are broken. We have despised our marriage covenants and have sacrificed our babies by the millions. Our homes are filled with violence. Children do not honor their parents and parents do not cherish their children. The intimacy of physical union has been debased and made common without a blush or sense of shame.

The body of Christ is sick. Our pulpits speak entertaining words, for that is what we crave. Sin is no longer a topic in vogue. We do not hunger for your Word, for we are not in awe of it, seeking instead, direction from within. The world knows us not as your disciples, for we have little time for Christian fellowship and loving one another. Our worship is shallow and self-centered. We live lives that are unholy. We have conformed to the world.

Our civil government seeks power above all, purchasing it through theft and deceit. It calls evil good and good evil. Justice is not swift and is often prejudiced. Evil is not punished nor is good condoned.

Our businesses are conducted with dishonesty and greed. Workers cheat on their bosses and bosses cheat their workers. We make business of that which is vile, profiting from the killing of babies and the selling of sex and unspeakable immorality. Our music is profane. Our movies filled with violence and shameful sights.

We have rudely snatched your blessings and like ungrateful children, sneered in your face.

When Israel forgot you, you raised up enemies from all around them. When they went out to fight they were defeated. Are you doing so to us now?

Is there not a remnant, Lord, that remains in this great land? Is there not a number who have not bowed the knee to Baal? Do their voices not cry out to you? Will you not listen to our petitions?

Surely it is your will that the marriage covenant be honored. Surely it is your will that we produce godly offspring. Surely it is your will that the work of our hands produce that which is holy and true and good. Surely it is your will that the civil magistrate punishes evil and condones what is good. Surely it is your will that justice and righteousness reign. Surely, Lord, it is your will that the bride of Christ be spotless.

We cry for your will to be done. Revive us, reform us, convict us of our sins and grant us repentance. For if you do not, Oh Lord, what will become of us? Without you we are nothing but a dry stick on the ground.

Hear the prayers of your people, who this day are crying out to you for forgiveness. We are seeking your face. We are humbling ourselves before you. We are on our knees in your presence, asking that you might be gracious and heal our land.

Oh, may it be so! Soli Deo Gloria!

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