Abraham Lincoln wrote an address to the nation during the Civil War that was at least as important as the Gettysburg Address.  It was his proclamation for a national fast-day, when he designated and set apart a day of national humiliation, fasting, and prayer.

Lincoln wrote: “It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

“The awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people.”

“Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity, too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

“It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

My translation:

• It’s our responsibility to trust in God as our source of protection, provision, and guidance.
• We haven’t done that very well.
• In fact, we’ve gotten prideful and screwed up big time . . . and that’s why we’re in this mess.
• Let’s get our priorities right, tell God what we’ve done, ask His forgiveness and truly place our faith in Him!

I feel in God that our nation needs prayer.  It is up to us, His people, to do that.  Fasting ads some “oomph” to our prayer.  It tells God that we’re serious about it.  I encourage you to follow the exhortation of II Chronicles 7:14 that says:

“If my people who are called by my name shall 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.”

It is our duty as Believers in Christ to pray . . . it’s not someone else’s responsibility.  In addition, we are to repent from “our” wicked ways, not someone else’s.

I have an increasing sense of urgency that November 7^th, 2012 

will be a date in our nation that will need:

 our prayer and fasting and unified cry of our dependence on God.

Let’s rise up and answer the call!

With that in mind, the elders (pastors) of Westside Church are calling for our entire church body to set aside Wednesday November 7^th (the day after the election) as a day of prayer and fasting for our nation.

I urge you, whether you attend Westside or, you’re a friend from around the country or across the globe, please join with me and the leadership of Westside whole-heartedly in this important task.  (The church building will be open with quiet worship music playing from 9am to 6:30pm for personal prayer and quiet time for those who so desire.) At 6:30pm we will break the fast at our regular 1^st Wednesday time of All Church Prayer.

This isn’t about politics friends, it is about God’s people standing in the gap during difficult times.  It is about being lights in the darkness.  It’s about being peacemakers, reconcilers and bearers of the Good News of Jesus.

Love you Guys,

Steve 🙂