Serious Prayer

“Awake, you heavy drinkers, and weep; and wail … For a nation has invaded my land, mighty and without number … It has made my vine a waste and my fig tree a stump. It has stripped them bare and hurled them away.”—Joel 1:5–7 NASB

It was a time of trouble. Many faced financial problems. Crime and immorality swept throughout the land. There were wars and violence. Yet many were preoccupied with pleasures, tolerating sin.

As we consider the prophecy God gave Joel, what seems clear is that this was a world similar to our own. In many ways, conditions seemed hopeless. But God called on His people to open their eyes and realize how badly things had deteriorated. Instead of giving up, they could turn to Him.

Although conditions seemed bleak, God promised hope! As His people repented and called on Him, He promised to be zealous for His land and pour His Spirit on all flesh (Joel 2:18–29). He would intervene!

In the US, today is the National Day of Prayer. It’s a time for all Christians to pray and be serious about prayer! It’s a time to look at the problems we face as a people, humble ourselves, repent of our sins, seek God, and cry out for His help.

Right now, ask God to open your eyes. As in the time of Joel, this is a time to seek the Lord. Return to Him, pray, and confess your sins and the sins of our land. Pray for our leaders. Pray for elections. Ask God to forgive our sins and heal our land, send revival, and pour out His Spirit as He did on the Day of Pentecost.

Reflection Question: Compose a prayer for your local, state, and national leaders.