Sanctuary in Melk, Austria Benedictine Abbey

When Solomon’s temple was ready to be dedicated to Yahweh, singers cloted in fine linen, with cymbals, harps and lyres, stood east of the altar, and 120 priests blew trumpets in unison with the singers glorifying Yahweh. When they praised God, and said, “He indeed is good for His lovingkindness is everlasting,” the temple filled with a cloud, the glory of Yaweh.

In his prayers of praise, Solomon also acknowledged that the Israelites would sin against the Lord, and he asked that when they repented, God would hear their prayers and bless them.

For seven days, the Israelites observed the dedication of the altar and feasted. They praised the Lord and sacrificed 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep during the dedication.

Then, God appeared to Solomon and told him that He had heard his prayer of dedication and had chosen Solomon’s temple as a place for Himself and as a house of sacrifice.

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:13-15

This was a conditional promise of God to Israel. Yet, Christians have been grafted into the heritage of God’s chosen people, the Israelites. This is a promise that Christians, God’s people, can count on.

America was founded as a nation under God. God’s people live here. As Solomon prayed, and as Daniel prayed, I pray,

We have sinned, we have acted perversely and wickedly;  2 Chronicles 6:37

The future of America depends upon God’s people. We can turn America around.

What must we do?

1. We must humble ourselves. We must bow before the Lord our Maker in submission.
2. We must pray. We must pray for forgiveness, for America’s leaders, for revival, for wisdom.
3. We must seek the face of God. We must return to His Word and seek to know Him. We must return to our first love of Jesus
4. We must turn from our wicked ways. We must examine ourselves, and turn from our fascination of the things of this world.

What will happen?

1. God will hear from heaven.
2. God will forgive our sin.
3. God will heal America.

That’s a promise. It’s up to the Christians in America.

Do you believe God’s promise?

My prayer

Lord God Almighty, You are the God of Your people. Turn our hearts toward You in a mighty way. Father, America has sinned. We have turned from You. Forgive us I pray. Holy Spirit, bring a great revival and awakening to America. Ignite our love and zeal for Your Word. Magnify Your Word, and heal our land.

Will you join me in humbling prayer, seeking the Lord and turning from our sin?