Wise County Advocate

When America's founders faced challenges, they often had the wisdom and insight to call for a national day of prayer. America is facing challenges today that, in many ways, rival anything since the start of World War II.

There is a concerted effort to redefine marriage as any union between people, regardless of sex, possibly even regardless of the number of participants in that union and possible even regardless of the blood relationship between them.

America continues to abort unborn babies by the millions, and now has moved further in the direction of euthanasia on both ends of the life spectrum - possibly even making it a matter of national, state-controlled health-care mandates.

American foreign policy seems directionless, no longer with the primary concern being national security, but in fostering and fomenting change for the sake of change and breaking down the barriers of national sovereignty.

Government seems determined to enforce a monopoly on force by making it more difficult for Americans to excerise their constitutonally protected right to procure and bear firearms.

Government and cultural institutions are breaking down the pillars and principles upon which self-government has been built.

Government is building up its authority and diminishes the role God plays as the supreme authority in the lives of free people.

The people are responding, predictably, by doing what's right in their own eyes, as the people of ancient Israel did before their judgment.

These are just some of the overwhelming problems our nation faces.

Government is broken. No longer does Washington see itself as a servant of the people but rather as their master.

So where do we turn? How can we save America? What would our founders do faced with such predicaments? Those of us who understand the challenges we face for the very survival of America as we have known it throughout most of its history - a shining city on a hill, one nation under God - must start planning now to do something radical. A nationwide day of prayer and repentance can have an enormous impact on restoring our country.

Imagine thousands of churches opening their doors to millions of worshippers who heartily confess their sins, seek forgiveness and pray for salvation and redemption and the restoration of our country.

Will you make a note on your calendar now to join us in that commitment? Will you help spread the word to the remnant of Americans who understand what we’re up against? Will you talk to your pastors and Bible study leaders and get them on board? Will you sign up here to register your expression of support and your intention to participate?

This is a matter between God and His people.

His word tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

We’ve got our instructions. God is waiting on us to act – His people. He’s not waiting on the whole world to act. He’s not waiting on a majority of Americans to act. He’s waiting on us. Will we follow His command and accept His promise to forgive our sin and heal our land?

Mark the date – Sept. 11, 2013.