We often forget that it was the politics of His day that were the immediate cause of Jesus' death. The Roman occupation of Israel, coupled with the jockeying for power among several Jewish sects, created a tension that simply couldn't allow for a popular miracle-working preacher who offended all of the powers that were present. Much of Jesus' teaching dealt with how to live in such a politically tense situation.

As we look at Hebrews 12:2, we are reminded how hard it was for Jesus as He struggled with the political system of His day. It led to a cross. We can't assume that just because we pray for our nation everything will immediately get better and we'll all live happily ever after. The truth is, though our prayers can and do make a difference, we must still pay a price.

A wise nation takes into account the Word of God as it makes laws. Even a cursory reading of the history of the founding of the United States demonstrates that our Founding Fathers seriously endeavored to base our nation's laws on their strong Judeo-Christian beliefs. Secularists today often counter that many of those men were Deists and not strong Christians.

Their own beliefs aside, our Founders, almost to a man, insisted that laws were based on divine revelation and not on human wisdom. A strong secularist, Thomas Jefferson said powerfully, "And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep for ever."

Have you considered the fact that a nation committed to justice for all is a nation that God can bless? God is passionate about justice because it is in accordance with His nature to be just in all His dealings. When nations base their laws and institutions on principles of justice for all, the God of justice is pleased.

Of course, this means that the contrary is true as well. When injustice creeps in, it brings with it the displeasure of God. God especially seems to look out for the welfare of those whom society overlooks: the poor, the less privileged, the stranger and the outcast. The nation that wants the blessing of God will ensure justice for all.

Fear can paralyze a nation, or it can cause its people to react in inappropriate ways. In Deuteronomy 3:22, God gives us a direct command when we face our enemies: "Do not be afraid of them" (NIV). We don't have to give in to fear. God promises to fight on our behalf—when a nation has committed itself to honor Him and follow His ways.

Ultimately, a nation that has learned to wait upon the Lord is a nation that has renewed its hope. No longer rushing about in response to the latest poll or whim, there is a dependence upon the Word of God and eternal matters. A sense of the solid and the stable replaces the fleeting fancies of our current status. Hope is removed from being a campaign slogan to being a lifestyle that centers on the Word of God. Pray for the church in America to begin to model the stable lifestyle of waiting on the Lord.

Same-sex marriage has been a hot-button issue for years now, yet only in recent years has the debate concluded with laws being changed. As of November 7, 2012, nine of the 50 states in the U.S. have legalized same-sex marriage, and gay-rights advocates continue to push for laws to make it legal nationally.

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, along with other Scriptures (e.g., Deut. 23:17), clearly state God's position on the issue, which is not open for interpretation. God defines marriage as being between one man and one woman—period. It's unfortunate that even those within the church claim otherwise, yet believers must stand firm on biblical standards while also walking in love and compassion for those struggling with same-sex attraction. We must also pray in unity for our nation's leaders not to be intimidated by activists trying to redefine the fundamental building block of our society.

The church must emulate Jesus, who always sought out the least and the lowest. If we listen to Isaiah and seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless and plead the case of the widow, we would be thought of in a much better way in our society. We might not have such nice buildings or such fancy programs, but our reputation would surely be better. And our nation would be changed!

Ask the Lord to show you those who are hurting and need you to reach out to them with the love of Jesus. Pray for a spirit of compassion to come over the church in the U.S. so that we will begin seriously to live out the lifestyle of Jesus in our communities.

Many have referred to the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus' manifesto for kingdom living. It certainly is a call to a radical lifestyle such as the world has never seen. It covers most of the major areas of life and brings everything under the Lordship of Jesus. One of the best known and most powerful statements is our scripture above.

In a culture that continually strives for more and more, these are radical words. Rather than focusing on our clothes, food or shelter, Jesus said our focus must be on the things of God. With a proper focus on God's kingdom, we will live in a nation that can care for those who are hurting and still have abundance. This won't happen because the government has mandated it, but because we are seeking first that which is eternal and are then content to allow the Lord to provide everything else we need.

What are we seeking as a nation? God or gold? We've often been known as a nation interested more in money and things than in God and people. This attitude has infected the church as well as the nation. Undoubtedly, the love of money is a major idol in the U.S. standing in the way of another great move of God in our midst.

Our nation doesn't know it, but America needs the church. Not just as a bunch of good-deed doers, but as those who give direction for the future and who preserve and protect in the present. We've not done this well, but that is the place in which God has put us. We are to be light, helping people (and nations) avoid the pitfalls of darkness. We are to be salt, both as seasoning and protection for our society.

The nation cannot afford a sidelined church, taken out by worldliness and confusion. Paul commands us to allow ourselves no longer to be conformed by worldly patterns, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Only then we will understand the will of God, not just for our own lives, but so that we can be a prophetic voice to our nation.

Most serious political scandals involve cover-ups. It isn't always the misdeed that's the worst, so much as the lying and manipulation of trying to hide it from the public. Cover-ups always try to keep things in darkness, away from the light where people can really see what has happened.

Followers of Jesus ought to hate cover-ups. We're called to be children of the light, avoiding the deeds of darkness. Darkness doesn't push back light; it's simply the absence of light. It's time to shine, church. It's time for the light of Christ to be lived out in our neighborhoods, schools and cities. We don't need to rail against the darkness; we just need to shine. The Light of the world lives within us, and our nation desperately needs His light to shine in every dark corner.

Do you suppose that the above verse, speaking of the wrath of God, is true for every nation except the United States? Is there some way that we are somehow exempt from the wrath of God? We don't like to think about this, but the truth is that there is no exempt nation. Godlessness and wickedness will attract the wrath of God, both for individuals as well as for a nation. When godlessness and wickedness are embraced by a nation, then the wrath of God will be directed against that nation.

In the last 50 years, we've seen a serious attempt at suppressing the truth in the U.S. An artificial wall of separation between church and state has been built with the intent of removing God completely from the public square. And this is just one of the ways that truth is suppressed. Because of this, according to the Word of God, the wrath of God is being revealed.

There are a number of ways we can pray over such situations. First, we ask that God's wrath bring about its purpose of leading people to repentance. Ask that our sufferings not be wasted but be brought to their redemptive purposes. We should also ask that God's truth be restored to public consciousness and acceptance, so that there be no divorce between the spiritual and secular.

In Luke 10, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Samaritan to give us a model of how to treat one another. He has made it clear that we should love our neighbor, without regard for their race.

Though we've come a long way with race relations in America, there is still work to be done—as the nationwide race-related protests to the tragic Trayvon Martin shooting proved at the beginning of 2012. The church must lead the way in racial reconciliation, setting an example of unity that crosses ethnic and social lines.

James speaks with authority and insight as he points out what will happen to a society or group when people begin to envy each other and have ambition that puts self ahead of others. The result is a breakdown of society in which you find disorder and all kinds of evil practices. This can and does happen in local churches, social groups, etc.

As bad as that is, it becomes even more devastating when it happens at a national level. Ultimately, this is a spiritual problem and the only solution is spiritual. America needs Jesus and needs Him badly!

America's economy has declined at a rapid pace in recent years. The housing market has plummeted, stocks have spiraled, major industries have neared implosion and unemployment has soared. As believers, however, our trust is in God and not our current resources—whether in a recession or a boom. We remember how Christ provided for the multitude using only two fish and five loaves of bread. We can't forget how God provided for the widow in 2 Kings 4. And we know God can change our economy in a blink of the eye—all for His glory.

The story of Esther becoming queen at a crucial time in the history of the Jewish people has inspired many through the years. The Jews faced annihilation at the hands of their enemies. Esther risked her life if she spoke out, but her cousin Mordecai's words gave her the courage she needed. He appealed to the timing of her part in this drama, "for such a time as this" (Esth. 4:14).

Like Esther, we live in perilous times in which our nation is under assault from foreign enemies and from those within who have failed to understand the critical role of the Christian faith to the greatness of America. It is a situation that cannot simply be fixed by a new leader, new plan or different strategy. We need the intervention of God!

God steps in when His people passionately ask Him to. The most important thing Christians can do for America is to pray. In these days of distress, the Lord is raising up a people who will intercede with faith and fervency! You are answering the call.

Lascivious behavior, drugs and alcohol have all become strongholds within the American school system. At the same time, we've removed prayer and Scripture from curriculum. Is it any wonder why U.S. students are losing academic ground in comparison to other young people around the world?

We must ask God to forgive us for pushing Him out of our schools. As we ask for His presence to be restored in schools, know that He is able to promote leaders in the education system who fear Him and will fight to return godly principles to the classroom. Let's commit to praying for godly teachers and administrators.

There is a real wave of discouragement and despondency sweeping through America these days. For many, it seems as though our nation is on the path of no return. There is a legitimate concern that we have drifted too far from God and that we might never again see a nationwide spiritual awakening. It certainly is possible for a people to go too far in their rebellion.

But I do not believe the United States is yet at that point. The Lord has many who are crying out to Him. While a global prayer movement is emerging like never before, there is also a growing movement of prayer here in America that is focusing on repentance and turning back to God. (Check out OneCry.com for an encouraging viewpoint.)

God's Word to Judah many years ago was both bad news and good news. The people were going to suffer for their rebellion against God. But amid those tough times, God made a promise showing that He wasn't done with Judah. He promised health, peace and security to a people who didn't deserve it. But such is His mercy and love—both then and today!