“God bless America!”
We’ve heard that phrase many times in prayer meetings, patriotic rallies and, yes, from politicians. The words roll so easily from our lips and sound so appropriate and consistent with our religious history. But is that really praying?
These are desperate times, with political unrest, racial polarization, economic uncertainty and loud accusations and counterattacks. What is more, it’s also a time of spiritual apostasy; a time when justice is whatever seems right in someone’s eyes. Frequently, even evangelicals are interpreting the Bible through the lens of culture, rather than critiquing the culture through the lens of Scripture.
Let us challenge one another to be done with superficial prayers.
God told the leaders of Israel that He was weary of hearing them pray; they could keep their platitudes to themselves. “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening” (Isaiah 1:15). They prayed many pious prayers, but God was deaf to their pleas.
What made their prayers ineffective? Why did their prayers make God angry? It’s because they were praying with mixed motives and hidden sin in their hearts. Their prayers, far from honoring God, were simply a way of covering their own sin. Piety on the outside; rot on the inside. As David warned us, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18). Iniquity, hidden in our own hearts, makes our words, no matter how carefully uttered, but puffs of air directed toward a silent heaven.
We often quote the words of James, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16). But we forget the admonition that precedes those words saying that we should confess our sins one to another for healing and restoration. In other words, a righteous heart in the presence of God and reconciliation with other believers is the basis for effective prayer.
In this age of inflamed rage fueled by exaggeration, self-justification, and a vitriolic spirit, have we forgotten that behind the chaos is the manifestation of spiritual warfare in the heavenlies? We should take seriously the words of Paul: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).
So, how do we begin to pray effectively for ourselves and our nation?
To begin, we must confront personal sin. As we study the Scriptures, we discover that those who knew how to engage the Almighty in powerful intercession were those who repented of their own sin and then took the burdens of their country and made them their own. Their words were an expression of their earnest and distressed hearts; they hated sin and loved righteousness. We think of Moses interceding for his people, asking God to not destroy them for the idolatry of fashioning a golden calf: “But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written” (Exodus 32:32). He was so zealous for God’s reputation that he was willing to be smitten dead if God would just remove His threat of judgment and forgive the sin of the people.
Effective prayer necessitates that we confess our helplessness and see beyond the crisis to God in His majesty and greatness. We must believe that God alone is willing and able to help us in our predicament. We think of Jehoshaphat who, when surrounded by cruel and powerful armies, commanded his people to fast and pray and then confessed, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12). Looking at the enemy brought fear; looking beyond the enemy to God brought hope.
Consider: How might God answer if we spent as much time interceding on behalf of ourselves, our churches, and our nation as we do criticizing our political opponents? We could then take seriously the command, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
We don’t have to agree with a politician to pray for him or her; when Jesus taught us to love our enemies, that includes our ideological enemies. As we observe our confused culture, let us remember that God smites us in order that He might heal us, and He convicts us that He might restore us. Let us come before Him individually and collectively with pure hearts, selfless motives and a passion for His glory.
Repentance precedes restoration. Before we pray, “God bless America,” let us pray, “Father, forgive America.” We begin by seeking God’s undeserved mercy for ourselves and those around us.
From my heart to yours: Let’s begin to pray earnestly right now.
Erwin Lutzer is pastor emeritus of Moody Church, in Chicago. He is an award-winning author and can be heard daily on the broadcast Running to Win.
