The current news cycle regarding national politics seems very
compressed right now with virtual 24/7 reporting of political intrigue,
accusations, calls for impeachment and back-stabbing like we have never seen
before in our nation's history. Sure, there have been times of acrimony and
political intrigue, but not on this level. There is a concerted effort, actually a plot, to force President Trump either to resign or, if not, be impeached so that he loses all credibility to govern effectively. It is not unfounded to say that the goal of this plan is to cause the current administration to crash and burn. However, if this were to happen it would lead to a wound in our national spirit that would cause the cycle of reprisals and revenge to repeat itself with the result of weakening the nation from within and eventually render governing on a national level to paralysed and ineffective.
Without recapping all the details as to each of the events that have transpired leading us to this place, I think it is most important to mention what follows herein as an understanding of our spiritual situation as a nation. The spiritual health of this nation is the most important consideration because it determines and affects the strength, moral climate, unity and character of our people and its government.
On a spiritual level, when Barack Obama became president in 2008, I saw in the spirit the gates of hell being opened up and demonic activity flowing with great energy and unbridled power. Then President Obama ushered in an era of immoral legislation, corruption of power and governmental institutions, and the re-opening of the wounds of racial hatred. He did not support authority and undermined law & order. He also did not understand the motives of our nation's enemies and castigated, as well as alienated our allies. An atmosphere of intolerance grew during this time where good became evil and evil because good. Those who represented moral decency, spiritual integrity, and a voice increasingly against authoritarian government were treated as enemies within their own country and no longer had a voice. A good friend of mine and bible teacher, Ed Welch, has shared with me that he believes President Obama was given to us by God to wake up the slumbering and corrupted church. Very interesting insight. Obama's presidency and the current turmoil caused by him, as well as those loyal to him, are causing us to pray and seek God for increased wisdom, faith, and in Godly action.
Since the Democrats lost the national election in November of 2016 they have done everything they can to destabilize and oppose the newly elected president. What is now occurring is a warfare both in the political realm, as well as spiritual realm. The fact that witches from all over the nation have attempted to cast spells on both President Trump and this nation should be proof enough. America is in great conflict on these levels.
It is time to pray. It is time to turn to God and to ask for His help. Now is the hour to pray for our nation, its leaders and our destiny. 2 Chronicles 7:14 states: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (KJV)
On February 17, 2017 I was praying about the state of our nation and God placed the Book of Esther on my heart. On that day I posted the following on Facebook:
"I am drawn to Esther chapters 8 & 9 when the Jews were threatened with extermination by their enemies. At that hour, the king issued an edict allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Mordecai and the Jews, rather than being slaughtered (which their enemies saw as inevitable), instead, struck down their enemies and utterly defeated them. Queen Esther and Mordecai responded as they absolutely had to and because of their heroism, the people were saved. We, as intercessors, were created "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14) and cannot remain silent, lest our hopes for our country and our president perish. That is not acceptable and not God's plan. We will, with our God's help, respond at this critical hour, by petitioning our King, as He sits on His throne, for relief and deliverance. Let's enter into His presence and ask accordingly. We have His heart and His ear."
Interesting that we are coming to that time on the Hebrew calendar known as the Festival of Purim, which in 2017 is going to be celebrated from Saturday night March 11th through March 12th. It commemorates the salvation of the Jews, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
When the Jews uncovered the plot to exterminate them, they called for a time of fasting. Esther 4:16 - "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." (NIV).
Because ot the threat now faced by the U.S., now it is time for us to prepare our hearts by fasting and pray as one - this is our Festival of Purim. By coming together we can thank or God
for His grace and for this nation. We can petition Him for His will to be
accomplished in our lives and land, as a nation. We can repent for our sins and
ask Him to heal our land, as well as move by His Spirit. To bring an awakening
of our hearts to Him with a yieldedness to His will and a reverential fear
(respect) for the Lord God Almighty. We need to pray for wickedness, along with its manifestations and effects, be broken in the name of Jesus and for restoration to take place in our land.
Isaiah 58: 6 -
New Living Translation
(NLT)
6 “No, this is the kind of
fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly
imprisoned;
lighten the
burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove
the chains that bind people.
7 Share your food with the
hungry,
and give
shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who
need them,
and do not
hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will
come like the dawn,
and your
wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead
you forward,
and the
glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will
answer.
‘Yes, I am
here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of
oppression.
Stop
pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help
those in trouble.
Then your light will shine
out from the darkness,
and the
darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will
guide you continually,
giving you
water when you are dry
and
restoring your strength.
You will be like a
well-watered garden,
like an
ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild
the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you
will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a
restorer of homes.
