I heard some news this week about a dear friend’s child. This friend in many ways, was my example as I was learning to parent my children. So I was saddened to see her child make choices that I’m sure broke her parents’ heart.
If I’m honest, the news made me feel a little hopeless. How can we protect our children from this world? That hopelessness turned to anger. Then I found myself railing against our culture.
But this morning I read this quote from Jack Hayford:
We’re not called to sit in judgment on a culture, but to intercede before God, which means to take a position of prayer for people who either cannot or will not pray for themselves. That’s what intercessory prayer is.
Do you want to change culture? Morality cannot be legislated. Judgment is never the answer. If we want to truly change this culture, we are going to have to do it on our knees in love.
Pray with me:
“Father, You are bigger than my fears. You love more than I can fathom. And you love this generation. You are not angry with us but compassionate. Your Mercy triumphs over judgment. You long to be gracious to this generation. You long to show us your loving kindness.
Father we thank you that we are forgiven. But we repent of hating, dismissing, fearing, judging, and ridiculing people who were deceived by the enemy. Teach us to see you in them. Teach us to love all people like you love them.
So Father, we invite you into our culture. Let your spirit reign for where the Spirit of the Lord is There is freedom. Open the eyes of this generation so that we can see truth. Break the spirit of confusion, expose the lies of the enemy, bring our hearts to you.
Father bring our children back to our borders. Teach our children the Word of God. Bless our children and give them peace.
Father, restore our hope for this generation. Increase our love for this generation. Thank you for bring our nation to you. Amen.”
““Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west. I will say to the north and south, ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’””
Isaiah 43:5-7 NLT