Pray for AmericaSample

Pray for Biblical Wisdom

How would you feel if you saw a doctor about a medical condition and they told you they neither read your file nor had ever read anything about your condition? Would you trust that doctor to administer treatment or prescribe medication? Would you even remain in their office for another two seconds before leaving and finding a new doctor?

Accurate diagnosis and treatment require an understanding of the unique patient's history, human physiology, and pathology. When it comes to the disease of divisiveness that affects America, we must understand America's history, humanity, and sinfulness.

What should we do then before we examine this country and catalog the good that needs preserving and the bad that needs reforming? Research God's written Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). That's a simple answer, but it's not an easy answer. In most English translations, the Bible has well over 700,000 words. Around 40 people authored its books. No one even knows the timespan between the creation of the world and the yet-to-occur recreation of the world detailed in Revelation.

So, where in the Bible can we find the answers to America's problems?

The key lies in what we have before we even pick up the Bible: our mindset and heart posture. To position both rightly takes humility. If we humbly invite the Spirit who inspired the Word to guide our journey into discovering what God says about an issue, we will find the answer we seek. If we humbly cross-reference the Scriptures, receive counsel from Spirit-filled believers, and prayerfully place everything before God, we will receive confirmation of the answer.

Also, often, when we approach a topic with humility, we find the answer is more significant—and yet again simpler—than we imagined. Regarding issues America faces, particularly the ones infected with divisiveness, the answer revolves around restoring value to individuals. Too many issues separate people into opposing sides and then elevate one side while dehumanizing the other. But Jesus said we are to love and pray for those who may oppose us (Matthew 5:43-45), and He did so amidst a Jewish and Roman culture whose opposition was deadly.

We will most likely not face death for speaking Spirit-filled, Scripture-based words. But while we may not face that end of the spectrum, we can exude the other end: life. We can speak life with love and truth, not to win arguments, but to show Jesus has won over this world's brokenness. The more we do that, the more people—regardless of "sides"—will want to know about this life-giving, life-saving God. Wisdom will once again increase in America. But most importantly, we'll see the increase spoken of so often in Acts: "Each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved (Acts 2:47)."