O God of the Bible Whose Son Jesus died to save us,

          You are the merciful God who longs to bless us. Every one of us has enjoyed innumerable good things poured out by you – everything from food, shelter and safety to economic prosperity. Yet unbelievably we have turned our backs on you, refusing to obey the instructions for daily living found in your Word. We live however we want. We do what feels right to us instead of obeying the things you say are right.

          We live as though you aren’t watching.

But you are.

And unless we repent, not only is our status as a world power at stake, our very existence as a nation is at stake. Yet you are compassionate and never willing to see anyone suffer unnecessarily. If you had found ten righteous people in Sodom, you would have spared that city. If you find enough righteous men, women and children in our country, if you see individuals turning from sin and calling out to you, we will be spared. We will continue to be blessed.

          Open our eyes to our sins. Show us that our problems lie far beneath the surface. We confess that

·       Our problem is not a weak stock market and a failing economy; our problem is that we have rejected the One True God.

·       Our problem is not simply joblessness and homelessness; our problem is that we have ordered the Ten Commandments out of all public places.

·       Our problem is not a school system that rates lower than it should and tolerates bullying; our problem is that we have outlawed prayer in our schools.

·       Our problem is not simply an epidemic of divorce; our problem is that the average American shrugs at sexual immorality and shame has disappeared.  

·       Our problem is not just violence in the streets and schools; our problem is that parents no longer understand how to teach or enforce right from wrong.

·       Our problem is not a corrupt government; our problem is that we the people prefer, and vote for, economic security over righteousness.

We confess these sins, Jesus. We take the responsibility to pray for our nation on our own shoulders. We believe one person can accomplish great things and change our nation, but only through obedience and prayer. Amen.

Supporting verses:

Several thousand years ago, in the book of Lamentations the prophet Jeremiah wrote about the fall of a great world power:

“How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow she has become, she who was great among nations! She who was a princess among the provinces has become a slave. . . . because the LORD has afflicted her for the multitude of her transgressions . . .

Jerusalem sinned grievously; therefore she became filthy; all who honored her despise her. The LORD is in the right for I have rebelled against his word.. . . Because I have been very rebellious. . . . And on the day of the anger of the LORD no one escaped or survived; those who I held and raised my enemy destroyed . . .”

Yet there is hope: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. . . . Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven. . . . The LORD is good to those who wait for him to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. For the Lord will  not cast off forever, but though he cause grief; he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.. . . Give yourself no rest, your eyes no respite! Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!”