140 Days of Prayer

As a Christian, my greatest concern is that the Gospel would be preached in all the world, to all the nations, in obedience to Christ and for His glory. 

But as an American, I have a second concern...the future of our country and the path it is on right now. We are moving farther and farther away from being a Christian nation. And this turning of the tide in our nation, affects my greatest concern...missions. 

According to Dr. Charles Stanley, well-known Christian pastor and theologian, "85% of all mission giving comes from the United States." That doesn't mean 85% of all missionaries are American...in fact, as I've mentioned before, more and more missionaries are coming from Asia, Africa and South America...praise God! But, 85% of the money that makes their outreach possible comes from the U.S.

As our nation falters and enters more and more perilous economic times, the money for missions dries up. "In our present financial crisis, the first thing that suffered in the areas of giving in the Church was in giving to missions because in many peoples' minds...that's something that's over there," said Dr. Stanley." 

There are so many more reasons to pray for our nation and do what we can to turn the tide besides concern over support for missions decreasing. America is the only nation founded on Christian principles. America, in the eyes of many in the world, stands for hope, opportunity and freedom. 

I could go on but I'd rather let Dr. Stanley explain it in an excellent sermon he gave last week entitled "Turning the Tide." You can listen to it at Turning the Tide

At the conclusion of his sermon, he encouraged the Church in America, and I would also say the Church in the world, to pray for America for the next 140 days; to beseech God, on America's behalf, to turn the dangerous tide we are seeing which is moving away from God and toward the agenda of Satan. 

Scripture teaches us, "The good influence of godly citizens causes a city to prosper, but the moral decay of the wicked drives it downhill" (Prov. 11:11, LB). We can make a difference by taking up the mantle of prayer.

It is our responsibility as the Body of Christ to stand for truth and cry out to the Lord-asking Him to turn the spiritual tide and save the people of our nation and as a result, the people of the world through America's support of missions, as well as other areas. 

You can sign up to be a part of 140 Days of Prayer at 140 Days of Prayer