“If My People…”

Tonight, I want to share a message that has been burning in my heart for quite some time. The Lord has been impressing upon me to speak this out loud and put it into words, because it’s a message that the world—especially the Church in America—needs to hear. 

Now, I have to be honest with you. Some of what I share tonight may be hard to hear. It may challenge you. But this is a message that cannot be ignored. I truly believe that the freedoms we have in America, our way of life, are in grave danger, and that we are standing at a crossroads—both as Christians and as a nation. 

And while I’m speaking mostly to American Christians tonight, I believe there are believers around the world who are facing similar crossroads in their nations or even in their own personal walk with God. We all must face truth—no matter how uncomfortable it may be. 

For almost 250 years, America has been a nation extremely blessed by God. There has never been a country like it in all of history. We have experienced prosperity, opportunity, and freedom in ways that are miraculous. People from around the world have been able to come here, work hard, and create lives of peace and success. Truly, the hand of God has touched this land in a mighty way. 

America has been a nation that has always reached out to help others, that stood by its allies, and that has been known for its generosity and compassion. But above all, America has been great because it was founded on faith in God and a Christian heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation. 

Yet, over the years, I have watched these foundations begin to erode. I once read a brochure from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that said, “They know less about Jesus than any generation in our history. They are our youth, our children, and grandchildren.” 

This troubles me deeply. Friends, the time is NOW when we need to examine where we are leading our young people, because if we do not change direction soon, God’s hand of favor may be removed, leaving us to our own devices. 

This brings us to a scripture that we know so well and that many quote often. 2 Chronicles 7:13–14 says: 

"When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among 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." 

Let me share the context of this well-known scripture with you. Solomon had just finished building the great temple for the Lord. He had dedicated it and interceded for the people of Israel, asking God to forgive them when they sinned and to prosper them again. And God responded with this promise. 

Now, while this was originally directed to Israel, it is also a great example for all Christians to follow. We are known to carry the name of Christ, and so when God says, “if My people, who are called by My name…”, that applies to us today. 

The next part of the verse tells us what God expects from His people: “…will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face…” 

Friends, prayer is not a last resort. It is our greatest weapon. It’s not simply bringing a list of requests to God. It is coming before Him with a humble heart, acknowledging our need for His guidance, His presence, and His power. It is a desperate cry for His hand of blessing upon our lives. 

And next, the verse says: “…and turn from their wicked ways.” Friends, this is repentance. We cannot continue living in sin—having sexual relations with someone we are not married to, lying, lusting, or any other willful sin—and expect God’s blessings to continue to flow into our lives or our nation. We must stop sinning, repent, and seek God with our whole heart. 

Though many don’t want to acknowledge it, we have to admit that we are seeing the consequences or our sins in our nation today. We have been seeing unprecedented tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and even terror attacks in our nation. Violence and vulgarity have become rampant and people living in self-centered and extravagant lifestyles is commonplace…even when people have to put themselves into ridiculous amounts of debt to live that way. And our country is barely surviving for the same reasons. 

Verse 13 reminds us: “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people…” So what do we need to repent of as Christians in America? Let me be very candid:

· We have become self-centered.

· We have depended on the government instead of the Church.

· We have stopped working to support our families.

· We have turned our eyes to other gods.

· We have become prideful.

· We have become complacent in our faith.

· We have sent our jobs overseas and refuse to work.

· We have elected ungodly leaders and idolized them.

· We have allowed godlessness to flourish in our homes.

· We have bowed down to money and power. 

And Friends…according to God’s Word, until we repent and turn fully to God, and live our lives to glorify Him and not ourselves, there will be no healing for our land.

Friends, God’s promise is clear. He will hear, forgive, and heal—if we humble ourselves, pray, seek Him, and turn from sin. The question is: Are we willing to do what it takes? Are we willing to lead our families and our nation back to God? 

I pray that this message stirs your heart tonight. I pray that it ignites a desire in your heart to seek the Lord like never before. America, and the Church within it, has a choice right now. Let us choose God. Let us choose to walk in righteousness. Let us humble ourselves and pray, so that His hand of blessing may be upon us once again. 

Please pray with me for individuals and for our nation to turn back to God:

Heavenly Father, we come before You tonight with a heart full of reverence and humility. Lord, we recognize that we have fallen way short of the standard that You have laid before us. We have failed to walk in Your ways, and we have instead lived in disobedience and rebellion against You. Father, we ask Your forgiveness. 

Father, please stir our hearts to truly humble ourselves before You. Help us to pray in faith, help us to seek Your face diligently, and help us to turn away from every sin that separates us from Your presence. Heal us individually Lord, and heal our land. Restore our families, our communities, and our nation. Help us to elect Godly leaders that will honor You in Truth. We have allowed so many ungodly people lead us astray, and we are truly sorry for that Lord. 

And Lord, we ask for a fresh outpouring of Your Spirit. Let Your power move mightily throughout our nation. Help us to rise up as a people who honor You in every area of life, so that we may be a lighted city set upon a hill, and so that Your glory may be revealed in us and through us. Thank You Lord for your mercy and grace. Without You, we are nothing. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.