Ask God to heal this land

Do you like the way things are going with the global economy and politics?

I have to admit, I find it more and more difficult to say good things when talking about our present economical and political problems. It seems every time I turn around I am confronted with another issue brought on by self-serving bureaucrats only concerned about their own income and benefits. It seems the whole world is falling apart around us.

I would like to blame all of our problems on bureaucrats and the liberal news media. I have often said they were the problem. But I have learned that other people have different perspectives and believe that they are correct in their thinking even if I don't agree with them. Many of my ideals and moral perspectives have come from my interpretation of the word of God and what it has to say about right and wrong.

I believe that in regard to our country's problems we as believers in Christ are a large part of the problem. We need to have more concern and compassion for the lost like Jesus did when he walked on Earth. Consider his compassion when he was lamenting and weeping over Jerusalem. He loved and cared for them.

God's word says in 2 Chronicles 7:14-15, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place."

When disasters like 911 and Katrina happened we prayed for a little while for help. Church attendance swelled and within a short amount of time had shrunk back to less than before the disaster happened. The word says to pray without ceasing. We need to pray.

We are His people called by His name. We need to humble ourselves and understand our weakness and pray and seek His face; get away from the distractions of life and focus our attention on God and communicate with Him turn from our wicked ways; realize and accept the fact of our sinfulness and turn from it, then God will hear from heaven and forgive our sin and heal our land.

I would like to challenge you readers that want to see more good things happening in the world and a real healing of this land we live in to repent and pray like you never have before. Take time out of your busy life and ask God to heal this land before it is too late.

Pastor Lon Smith of the River Ministries in Coleville is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.