Approaching Y2K: Praying for Healing, Repentance and Reconciliation

by Norma Dearing
Winter 1999

As we move into the new millennium, what a wonderful time to reflect back on our lives thus far, reviewing the positive aspects of our past— relationships we have enjoyed, places we have traveled and wonderful experiences that brought us into knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. It is also an excellent time to consider the mistakes we have made, the grace God has bestowed on us even in the midst of those mistakes, and the wealth of knowledge we gained from the experiences.

In order to live in the healthiest relationship possible with God, as well as with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we must be willing to look at those areas in our personal lives needing reconciliation. We must, as committed Christians, set the standard and example of repentance and reconciliation to a broken world.

As prayer ministers and leaders in God's Army, we are required to ta.lee it even farther. We must be willing to stand in the gaps and cry out to God for forgiveness, not only for our personal lives, but for our nation and the world, as well. The Word says, "If my people, who are called by my name, shall 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 will heal their land" (II Chronicles 7:14).

Are we called by His name? Are we willing to humble ourselves seek His face and turn from our wicked ways?

Scripture offers many examples where God's people stood and prayed for a particular city or situation. And because one dedicated servant prayed so humbly and fervently to God, He answered the prayer: For example, Abraham continually pled with God to save Sodom, eventually persuading God to save the city if only 10 righteous men could be found, and Moses interceded for his people over a period of years

Years ago, I heard a modern–day prophet give a message that I have never forgotten, because it witnessed so powerfully to me, and resonated in me as truth. The message was basically how unhappy God was with the world, especially America, and how we needed to repent and turn ourselves around. He was unhappy over our immoral behavior, our lack of love for one another, and the massive killings — especially abortions.
The message also warned of many natural disasters that God would allow in order to capture our attention — floods, fires, hurricanes and tornadoes. In the last five years, more evidence of "acts of God" ( or what the insurance companies refer to as natural disasters) has been documented than ever before. Each time one of these occurs, I remember that prophetic word and pray for people to become aware of God and obedient to His Word.

Many more prophetic warnings that are similar to the one I heard have been spoken in recent years. It seems God is giving more of His children the same Word.

Through the years, more and more Christians have begun to take a serious role in praying for their cities and communities. They have started such events as prayer walks, reclaiming their cities for God and interceding more regularly for their schools, neighborhoods and elected officials. When Agnes Sanford was alive, she even purchased a home on the edge of the San Andrea us Fault in California in order to pray for the earthquakes.

Everyday we experience the heartbreaking and disturbing news of senseless killings by people living in a sick society. Joy Lamb and others I know actually pray through the newspapers each day, asking God to bring healing and deliverance in various situations. We must realize that we are members of this society and begin to pray, moving more and more toward healing, repentance and reconciliation. This is what I believe God is calling His people to do as we move into this new millennium.

Following are a few suggestions on how to pray. I'm sure each of you will drink of more not mentioned here, and ones that perhaps pertain to your particular area of the nation and world. May each of you humble yourselves, turn from your wicked ways, and seek the face of God so that He might heal our land.

1. Lord God, forgive us for the ways we have hurt one another and lived in selfishness, always wanting our own ways.
2. Lord God, forgive us for the times when we have not honored you in our words, actions and deeds. Forgive us for our disobedience.
3. Lord God, forgive us for being wasteful with the beautiful natural resources which you created. Help us to be good stewards of your creation and to share with those who are less fortunate.
4. Lord God, forgive us for the ways we have taken the true beauty of sexual union you created as a wedding gift to couples and distorted it with promiscuity, perversion and abuse.
5. Lord God, forgive us that we have taken the beautiful gift of life and destroyed your beautiful babies before they could draw their first breath.
6. Lord God, forgive us for the ways we have abused our own bodies through alcohol, drugs, overeating, and lack of exercise and rest.
7. Lord God, forgive us for the abuse, judgment and confusion we have brought into the world in the name of religion. Have mercy and grace on each of our denominations for the mistakes we have made and the damage we have done.
8. Lord God, forgive us for the poor examples we have been to the youth who watch us and grow to emulate our sins and disobedience.
9. Lord God, forgive us for leaving marriages and families and not working harder for reconciliation and forgiveness.
10. Lord God, forgive us for not spending quality time with You, sitting still in Your holy presence. May we learn the truly important dungs in life.

Forgive us, Lord God. We humbly pray that you would hear our voices and heal our land.

Norma Dearing is the Director of Prayer Ministry at CHM.