If My People

If My people who are called by My name will 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.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Just before his inauguration, Dwight Eisenhower invited Billy Graham to the Commodore Hotel in New York. “I’d like to quote one or two passages from the Bible in my inaugural speech,” he said. Eisenhower felt one of the reasons he was elected was to help set the moral climate of America. Graham suggested 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Eisenhower prepared a speech that, to everyone’s surprise, opened with what he called “a little prayer of my own.” After his prayer, Ike’s speech spoke repeatedly of spiritual things. “In the swift rush of great events,” he said, “we find ourselves groping to know the full meaning of these times in which we live. In our quest for understanding, we beseech God’s guidance.” He was sworn into office with his hand resting on two Bibles, both opened to 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Take this verse as a personal mandate today—to humble yourself and pray that America might turn from any wicked way.