O Jehovah, Holy God of the Bible,

           We stand in awe of you. You name is great, your works impossibly magnificent. Since the beginning of time there has been no other God. You made the stars and named each one. You have even numbered the hairs on our heads.

We should fear your awesome power, Lord, because fear of you is where wisdom begins. Instead, we take your love for granted and do whatever feels good to us, whatever we decide is right.We ignore your Word and flaunt our evil choices. We’re more influenced by friends and the media than by you.

That is not okay, Jesus. As a matter of fact, you warn repeatedly of disaster if we continue to disobey – calamity both for individuals and nations. Despite prevailing opinion to the contrary (even in many churches) you won’t always “fix” things for us. Yes, you love us and forgive if we turn back to you. You are merciful and give us more time to change than we deserve.

But if we continually harden our hearts by refusing to listen to your counsel and obey you, we will eventually reap what we have sewn. We’ll eat the fruit of our own choices and have our fill of our own devices. You will withdraw your hand of protection. We’ll suffer the consequences of our own actions. Our own complacency will destroy us.

Help us, Lord! Show us how to change our own lives and hearts. We need your strength and wisdom. Open our ears to hear your voice calling out to us. Soften our hearts so that they yearn to follow you; give us wisdom to recognize our failings and show us how we can fill our responsibilities.

We believe that if individuals return to you, our nation can be restored one godly person at a time. Though we don’t deserve it, allow us more time to repent and seek you; Jesus. Save us! Amen.

Supporting verses:

“To whom will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see, who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.” Is. 40:18, 25, 26

Purpose of the Solomon’s teaching: “To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth. Let the wise hear and increase in learning; and the one who understands obtain guidance. The fear if the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Prov. 1:2-7

“Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer, they will seek me diligently will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Prov. 1:24 - 33