We may believe that we do not have anything to do with our cities' present situation. But the Word teaches us to identify with the sins of our nation in personal repentance.

When Nehemiah prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem, he had absolutely nothing to do with the sins of the previous generations that had led the people into captivity. And yet he prayed, "'I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against You'" (Neh. 1:6, NIV). Ezra prayed the same: "'O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens'" (Ezra 9:6).

They didn't pray as if they were blameless. They identified themselves with the sins of the nation.

Perhaps you haven't murdered anyone, but you have committed other sins that have offended God. Ask forgiveness, not just for your society's collective sins but also for yours. Demons are not the main problem. The leading problem is the ego.

You must surrender your heart to God and seek His cleansing. Only then will you be able to intercede effectively for your country. read more

12:13PM EDT 7/26/2010

One morning several years ago when I was thanking God for the delight of His presence, I heard a voice say, "If you seek Me for the way you feel in My presence, it is no different from any other soul-realm passion." I had never thought about my relationship with Him in those terms before. God was saying that if I pursue Him simply for the pleasurable experience I have when He makes Himself known to me, then my enjoyment of Him is dictated by my feelings.

After this encounter I experienced a season of dryness--called a "dark night of the soul" by 16th century mystic John of the Cross--during which it seemed as if God was not there. This season was especially difficult because for years prior to it I had walked in an almost continual awareness of His presence. Now, suddenly, I sensed nothing.

During my "dark night" I realized that on our path to spiritual maturity, we don't go from mountaintop to mountaintop. We have to walk through valleys as well. Even after we have arrived in our "promised land" we may experience spiritually dry times. read more

8:00PM EDT 7/31/2002

Is there no one divinely empowered to fell the Goliaths of our age? Perhaps we need only look in our bathroom mirrors. If you believe in Jesus and are desperate for God, you qualify as one of God's elect.

We have erroneously held that God's chosen will never be assaulted by the adversary and driven to desperate day-and-night prayer. But desperation is often the very crucible in which God's elect are forged.

Jesus portrays this characteristic metaphorically in the parable of the widow who petitioned a hardened judge for "legal protection" (Luke 18:3, NASB). Although the judge was initially unwilling, by her "continually coming" (v. 5) the widow gained what was legally hers.

It is possible that this widow may have represented the church in a desperate prayer for protection against her adversary. We need the "legal protection" that a national revival provides; but it will not come without unceasing prayer.

It's our turn to pray. We are the widow who cannot give herself a reason for failure. God will answer our cry if we position ourselves at His throne. Certainly, He will grant us legal protection in our cities and our nation. read more

10:07AM EDT 7/6/2010

God actually desires to enter into a genuine interactive friendship with us.

We really are the children of God, and the dynamics of our relationship with Him are more similar to the relationship between earthly parents and their children than we might initially expect. We struggle with this because we all know that human parents don't have the same attributes and capacities as God. This, however, does not negate the similarities.

For instance, providing for the children is not a burdensome drain upon a loving and resourceful parent. Rather, it is a deeply satisfying pleasure and honor. So it is with God and His children (see Ps. 50:15). read more

7:00PM EST 1/31/2003

As you pray for healing for yourself or a loved one, we suggest you consider the following prayer points:

Pray for God's guidance in seeking the best solution to the health problem. This could include vitamin therapy, diet changes, physical therapy, an exercise program and/or choosing the best available physician.

Pray preventive prayers. For example, pray that all medical personnel will be alert and do their very best work in treating the illness. Pray that they will not make mistakes, bad judgments or wrong decisions.

Pray that medications will be beneficial, with no harmful reactions or side effects.

Pray that high standards of hygiene are observed and that no infections develop following surgery or hospital treatment.

Pray against all negative words written or spoken by medical professionals, friends, family members, or anyone else. Their word is not final; God's Word is!

Pray in the Spirit. This can mean praying in your prayer language, which ensures that you are praying according to the will of God (see Rom. 8:26-27). Or it can mean being specifically led by the Holy Spirit as you "pray with the understanding" (1 Cor. 14:15, NKJV).

Proclaim and declare aloud the Word of God and His promises over the situation. This helps reinforce your faith as well as the faith of others involved. You can also paraphrase verses into Scripture prayers, inserting the name of the person you're praying for.

Walk in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving, playing praise music and singing Scripture songs. This, along with declaring Scripture, will strengthen you and others against fear.

Fast as you are led by the Holy Spirit. Spend some of your fasting time in prayer, worship and Scripture reading.

Make sure you are not giving Satan a foothold in the situation by harboring unforgiveness against anyone (see 2 Cor. 2:10-11 and Eph. 4:26-27).

Partake of the Lord's Supper as often as you are led, remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross for man's spirit, soul and body (see Is. 53:4-6). read more

2:45PM EDT 6/18/2010

The purpose of fasting is to deny our normal desires for food in order to focus our attention on the Lord. However, the principle of fasting from things we desire is applicable to other areas of our lives as well. Many things can become our "food."

America is so saturated with electronic media that we tend not to notice its effect. Although Scripture prizes silence and contemplation, modern media constantly fills up our minds, allowing us little room for quietness before God.

Yet God exhorts us to beware of worldliness and to embrace godliness (see 1 John 2:15-17; Rom. 12:1-2). Jesus calls us to holiness.

I require my students at Denver Seminary to engage in a "media fast." They abstain from an electronic medium for at least one week to note how it is affecting their lives. Most students choose television, since it is a widespread and powerful force.

Almost all of them report that they first suffer withdrawal symptoms but later become more peaceful and prayerful. Time is freed up for reading, spouses, children and ministry. Lustful thoughts diminish.

They are surprised at how much television (or some other medium) had affected them and what a difference the fast made in their awareness of God, themselves and their culture. Many resolve to be more careful with these media.

I challenge you to offer your own "media fast" to the Lord and see what the Holy Spirit teaches you about worldliness and godliness in your life. read more

5:23PM EDT 7/16/2010

Like Mama Bears who fiercely protect their cubs, rightous women can become a powerful force in safeguarding America's destiny.

On a beautiful May morning in our nation's capital, the sun was streaming into the ornate reception room just off the floor of the United States Senate. Usually this is a very busy room, noisy with the hustle and bustle of senators scurrying on and off the floor or meeting with their constituents and staff.

Sometimes this space is filled with the well-heeled lobbyists of industry or a civics class visiting the Capitol. Often I listen to the echo of my own footsteps as I walk these halls or stand here alone, waiting to talk with a senator. read more

8:00PM EDT 9/30/2001