Praying for the Nation and Churches

For almost twenty three years my wife has used the phrase, “Checking on the chickens.”  Those first ten years of getting to know each other, spending time together in various church activities, going places together, this phrase became a well known, well meaning phrase in our lives.  If I got a call in the middle of the night, answered the phone and Tina said, “Sorry, just checking on the chickens,” I began to understand.

After thirteen years as a married couple, this is still something that is a part of our lives.  Tina will be sitting in the den, leaned back in the recliner, with the television on and suddenly jump up, grab the phone and start dialing a number, and look at me with that knowing look.  It is the look that says it all, “Just checking on the chickens.”

She will call several people, mostly family and close friends, talk for a few minutes and then find whatever it is that is bothering her.  She will immediately know-the revelation will be clear-why it was necessary to “check in the chickens.”  It may be something simple as someone needing to talk out a problem, or a sickness in the family no one knew about, or some ongoing problem in someone’s life that seemed to have exploded for the moment.  Whatever it might have been, her spirit will testify that this was the reason for the need and she will do whatever ministry she might be able to extend, and most likely pray with them.  Afterwards she will rest and relax, with the pressure gone and the situation passing, for the moment, until the next crisis.

Jesus was always “checking on the chickens.”  There was one vivid moment, as he stood overlooking Jerusalem,

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Matthew 23:37 (KJV)

The scene Jesus speaks of is a tender, intimate scene.  It is one that is seen in the barnyard.  The picture is of a mother hen, as danger approaches or maybe a storm is brewing in the sky above, she is seen scurrying around the dirty floor of the hen house, gathering all her little, fuzzy chicks together.  She pulls them up against her body, hiding them under her wings. 

It is there the little helpless ones are protected, sheltered from whatever may attempt to come against them.  Under those wings they feel the heat of her body, smell the familiar scent of her being, and hear the calm beating of her heart.  She is their shelter, their protection, their hope for safety in the midst of the situation they are in.  She is fighting their battles for them; waging war on their behalf.

Jesus says that is the things He wanted for the people of Jerusalem.   He wanted them to know His protective power, His warm love, and hear His beating heart.  “Sheltered in the arms of Jesus,” is the place all of us need to be, right now especially.

As we pray through our 40 Days of Prayer, we need to realize that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s.  The battle we fight is often one that is not seen-oh, it is felt-but it is one that is between the Warriors of God and the Demonic host of Hell.  It was the Apostle Paul who wrote these words:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…”

Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV)

The Battle is not a person or entity; it is not a party or people: no the battle is a spiritual battle.  It is waged not on a battle field of government authority and boardrooms and banquet halls-it is waged in the heavenly.  Heavens Warriors fight with Demonic demons for the souls of man.  If we could view the battle with human eyes it would be one of great conflict, great fear, and great panic on our part.

God gives us a call to hide in Him, to shelter in His protection, to come to Him with our burden and struggles and to rest in Him.  He is our refuge in our time to need.  We feel the battle, we see the way the devil uses individuals as pawns in his game to conquer and destroy-we need a place to get away and Jesus offers us the opportunity to rest in the folds of His robes, as He shelters us in the storm.

There is something I want you to notice in Jesus’ words to the people of Jerusalem.  He said, “You would not.”  He is speaking of their unwillingness to bend, to bow, to humble themselves in the Incarnation of God through Jesus Christ.  The people exercised their free will to throw off the restraints and do as they always did.  They refused to listen to the preachers and killed them for their stand; they stoned all who were before Jesus-Stephen-for taking a stand for truth.  They turned to their evil ways, their traditions and their own man-made philosophies; they forsook the God of their Father’s and refused to follow after hope.

That takes me back to the words of 2 Chronicles, “If my people…”  We as God’s people in this world today are facing a daunting time in the life of America and the Church.  This is a time like never before where the church is being intimidated by the world without and discouraged from within.  We live in a time that is an overwhelming, disheartening, and even demoralizing time in which America seems destined to destroy itself from within, while the church sits idly by and knowing the answer, is more prone to allow the world in, than allowing Jesus out.

“If my people…”  We have the will to make a choice, to choose righteousness or rebellion.  We can decide to make Jesus Lord and say with Joshua, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  Or we can do what we see the world doing.  The world is accepting the new norm-which is not new, nor normal-and wave the flag, while another society breezes in with their new, exciting ways of big government, big brother, and big money to make us all like the other, without a will.  Can you live that way?

I am going to do what the Word of God says.  For as I kneel before the heavenly Father, there are a few things I will submit to, willingly: I am going to humble myself under His hand of leadership.  I am going to pray as I am doing now and pray the prayer that never fails: “Your will be done!”  I am going to seek the face of the Father while I can, while He is still active and His Spirit is still moving.  Most importantly, I am willingly turning from sin and short-comings to face Him completely, wholly. 

Then I am going to wait.  I am waiting for the promise, that promise that is “coming down the dusty road.”  He promised and He who promised is faithful.  He promised He would hear our prayers, forgive our sin and heal our land.

It all starts with one person, obediently following the commands of the Heavenly Father and surrendering themselves to His will, His purpose, His plan of their life.  That is where revival begins.  May it begin with me!  “If it is to be; it is up to me!”

I read recently a quote that I feel compelled to share with you:

“Your THEOLOGY is no better than your KNEE-OLOGY.”