Believers who think America is in deep spiritual trouble
say the only way out is a move of God. And many students of the Bible
say nothing moves God's heart like His people confessing and turning
from their wicked ways to Him.
That's what the Sept. 24th-Oct. 1st National Week of Repentance is all about.
The founder of the week, York's Grace Fellowship Lead Pastor Michael
Anthony, told CBN News Christians who want an awakening, revival or
reformation can't get any of those without a serious season of repenting
first. And he worries that's not something that comes all that
naturally to Americans.
'A NATIONAL HUMILITY CRISIS'
"I think our nation is in the midst of a national humility crisis,"
Anthony said. "And the only thing that's going to turn it around is a
genuine movement of real repentance. I think in a lot of instances, many
Christians are trying to get other people to follow a Jesus we're not
following ourselves."
This senior pastor frequently reminds people the 2 Chronicles 7:14
scripture everyone loves to quote because it offers national healing
actually starts with a call for God's people to turn from their sins.
"It's not about trying to effect change in the nation out there," he
stated, pointing away from his body. But then he aimed his fingers back
towards his own chest. "It's about inviting God to begin with each and
every one of us in our own hearts, in our own lives, in our own
families, in our houses of worship."
NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE, BUT IN GOD'S HOUSE
"True change does not begin in the White House. I think it begins in
God's house. And I think for far too long, we Christians have abdicated
the responsibility God has given to us," Anthony said.
He points out what 2 Chronicles 7:14 says: "If My people who are
called by My name will humble themselves, seek My face, pray, turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and
heal their land."
The pastor summed up, "Oftentimes we quote that and we launch into
immediately 'let's pray for America.' That's not God's strategy.
Whenever God wants to bring change, He uses the Church — God's people —
as Ground Zero."
EVERYTHING'S FREE AND EASY TO GET TO
The National Week of Repentance has its own website,
WeekofRepentance.com,
where folks can find free study guides, paths to live-streaming events
throughout the week, and plans of attack for waging the kind of
spiritual warfare good repentance often takes.
One video on the website admonishes believers saying, "America needs
healing. Our lives need healing. Our families need healing."
It continues, "It's time for genuine confession, apologies,
forgiveness, true repentance and humility that results in a genuine
unity throughout the country."
Another features a young woman telling viewers, "The National Week of
Repentance is a simultaneous, nationwide movement of God and His
people. And it's driven by the greatest celebrity the world has ever
known: the Lord Jesus Christ."
"The National Week of Repentance is a grassroots movement of ordinary
people across the nation just like you and just like me. Don't miss
this movement of God," she concludes.
Another video informs viewers, "You don't need to get onto a plane or
get into a car to participate. You don't need to go anywhere. All you
need to do to soar is go to
WeekofRepentance.com."
'REMOVE THE LOG…'
Anthony said of what's at the website, "We've provided tools for
people to repent, to apologize, to do some time personally reflecting
before the Lord and cleaning their own house. Jesus said 'remove the log
in your own eye, then you'll be able to remove the speck in your
brother's eye.' That's what the Week of Repentance is all about."
On that website, people will also find the week's official prayer,
penned by leading Christian author, lecturer and apologist Ravi
Zacharias.
He mentions the recent storms that have shattered so many homes and taken so many lives.
Then he writes, "In some ways, Lord, these storms remind us of the
havoc that alien ideas have wreaked in the land: the erosion of our
values, the eviction of Your name from halls of learning, and the
climate of hate in the land that makes it almost impossible to govern."
Zacharias goes on, "We pray for peace in our world and humility in
our hearts. May we hear Your voice guiding us and our wills responding
to Your call. God, bless America and make us a people that will be an
example to the world of what it means to walk with You. We ask
forgiveness for our sins and strength for the journey."
A NATIONWIDE GET-TOGETHER
This is the second such National Week of Repentance. The first was held in November 2016 just before the national election.
Pastor Anthony said of that internet-based event, "Last November it
was the first time in history where in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and
Washington D.C., people set aside an entire week without having to go
any place, and actually reflected and repented and apologized. We
actually made history, by God's grace."
But the work is far from over, according to Anthony. He explained it
takes a certain bravery to humbly confess sin and repent, summing up, "I
think the United States needs a second American Revolution,
characterized not by conventional weaponry, but by the weapons of
humility and courage; what I call humble courage."
This hi-tech internet age may have given human beings easier paths to
sin and temptation, but it also allows the people of God to spread
across the land to all connect with each other and go deeper
spiritually. And those who've put this effort together say that can
start right now by folks going online to join this nationwide move to
repent.
by: Paul Strand
