Are you afraid to watch the news today?  Are you depressed when you read the newspaper? I am! When I look around I often think of the prophet Hosea’s postmortem over ancient Israel: “We have sown to the wind and now are reaping the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7).  I fear we are watching what happens when a nation forgets God. Is there something we can do? I believe there is! I believe that through the prophet Ezekiel God tells us what he wants us to do. Consider his words: 

And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one (Ezekiel 22:30).

Here in Ezekiel 22 God has just announced impending judgment on Jerusalem for their unrelenting violence and idolatry.  Through the years what had been called “The Holy City,” is now known as “The Bloody City” (Ezekiel 22:1).  Corruption and immorality are widespread.   The wall of divine protection that had surrounded the God’s people has broken down.

But in the midst of all their evil God is still looking for an excuse to show mercy and forgive.  God is seeking “anyone” who would stand in the breached wall before him and intercede on behalf of the land.  God sought anyone who would offer the protection of prayer. But tragically, he found no one.  And the rest is history.

We look around our land today and history seems to be repeating itself. But God is still “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”  And God is still looking for anyone, men or women, who will stand in the breached wall and intercede for the nation. I want to be that anyone.

• I’m taking time every week to write our two senators, and my congressman. I tell them I’m praying for them, as well as letting them know I’m closely watching their votes.
• I’m also taking time every week to fast and pray for our nation.

What might you do? 

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (II Chronicles 7:14)

Grace and Peace,
Tim Smith

Weekly Classes with Tim Smith – Every Wednesday
At the Franciscan Renewal Center
(Garces Room of Piper Hall)

Wednesday Noon – 1:00 P.M.
Jesus’ Teaching on the Spiritual Life:  John 13-17
Wednesday Evening 7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Four Life Changing Prayers