National Sin

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

MANY CHRISTIANS WHO love their nation and its people will value the words in the verse above as a tremendous promise of healing and blessing from God.

Such a person was Danyel, an African who won a scholarship to the United States and became a doctor. As he began to practice, he found the work lucrative. But he also felt a need to minister to his own people, who lived in poverty, had few doctors or medicines, and had little hope of ever earning one-tenth of what Danyel made in a year. Moreover, his people were stricken with diseases and with the common sins of all cultures.

Danyel began to pray. Few of his friends agreed that he needed to return to his homeland. But he felt called to his people, and he continued praying for them. He put together a mission project that gathered funds, medicines, and other resources, and he moved back to Africa and lived in a hut like those of his people. With his help, many people found not only physical healing but also spiritual healing.

This passage speaks to the issue of changing the direction of one’s nation. In Danyel’s case, his fellow villagers began developing their own businesses so they could meet their own needs and even prosper. Through Danyel, God healed their diseases and blessed their new faith.

When you look at the United States of America, where do you see us today? Can you begin praying that we will turn from our evil ways back to God, and ask him to heal our land and bless us again?