SCRIPTURE: 2 Chron. 7:13-15 NLT At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. Then 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. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.
THOUGHT: It’s the final day of the call to 10 days of fasting, prayer, and repentance for our nation that our church has participated in. Fred and I put down all entertainment and changed our diet substantially. We came together every morning to pray through the daily prayer guide put out by thereturn.org, and met each evening at the church for prayer as a body. We set aside one day for silence and personal reflection and one day for solemn assembly where we heard speakers from across Michigan and the nation make confession of personal and corporate sin and pray for mercy for ourselves and our nation.
We slowed down to listen. It was hard sometimes, and inconvenient, and even frustrating. But it also revealed contents of our hearts that needed to be seen, felt, confessed, and turned around. It revealed hope in the midst of grief and sin and selfishness. God met us in the slow fast.
SONG: God, I Look to You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEubLmNPxwg
PRAYER: Thank you for still speaking, God. For still calling. For still forgiving. For still – and forever – giving hope in the midst of chaos and light in the midst of darkness.
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