URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT!

PLEASE CONSIDER PRAYING AND FASTING

ON OUR KNEES

Look at the newspapers,

and you'll see real gloom.

Look at the television,

and you'll see real doom.

Problems and more problems,

will show their heads.

Many people question,

how this country is led.

Solutions are sought,

but consistently fall short,

as the leaders analyze,

but with negative report.

Christians know the answer,

that professional politicians lack.

Step number one, it's unto God,

that this nation must come back.

One of the most important things,

that Christians can do,

is to consistently pray and fast
for the leaders and authorities of this nation,

and with commitment remain true.

Prayer and fasting is essential,

and can effect great change,

if God's people,

will pray and fast regularly to the glory of Jesus' name.

Christians need to unify,

and pray and fast with fervency.

Christians need to pray and fast,

for there is urgency.

Lift up the authorities of this nation,

and lift them up NOW.

God can effect change,

for He knows how.

Don't become lax,

or even nonchalant,

believing others will do it,

for many will not.

Receive this exhortation,

we must count the cost,

begin praying and fasting regularly for the leaders,
future leaders, and authorities of this nation,

before righteousness and God's blessing on America is virtually lost.

Scripture promises in Matthew 6:6 & 6:17-18 that when God's people pray and fast, when done with proper motives ... they will be rewarded by the Father.  Whether being rewarded in this life or the next, it shouldn't really matter to us.  If you are willing to pray regularly (and occasionally fast) for righteousness to be restored to America, whether it happens or not to any great degree (* See footnote at bottom), ... God will somehow still reward you personally. 

God exhorts His people in Matthew 6:33 to "Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness" first and foremost above all things, and this will be my ongoing prayer for not only America, but for all nations of the world ... that the leaders of each nation will begin to realize that God is not obligated to bless a nation, nor the leaders of that nation, nor most of the people who live in that nation . . . unless the law-makers and the law-enforcers of that nation are concerned about God's Kingdom and God's righteousness MORE than building their own selfish empires, when expedient, at the compromise of God's righteousness.

For anyone who might be uninformed, the following scripture found in 1 Timothy 2:1-4 gives God's people a clear mandate to pray for both the leaders of their nation, and those who have authority over them:

Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Let us never forget that our spiritual authorities in our local Church are also included in this scripture admonition.  Keeping our local Church authorities covered with prayer is every bit as important (necessary; wise) as praying for our national political authorities, if not more important.

Just a reminder . . . it seems quite clear to me that if Christians living in the United States aren't willing to pray (let alone occasionally fast) for ALL who are in authority for them on a regular basis, and who God's choice for the next President of the U.S. might be ... then they too might very well experience various forms of judgment and/or persecution that they might not have had to experience otherwise.

The Old Testament documents times when God moved the nation of Israel to fast for the very survival of the nation.  Ester 3:13 and 3:15-17 is one such occasion.  God implemented fasting (with prayer) on several different occasions to stop evil from prospering regarding the Jewish people.  Fasting and prayer often was first executed before taking any other action to combat evil, when the Jewish people had leaders who truly sought God's help. (There's good reason for that!)

Who says God will not hold back evil from prospering in America (or any other nation, for that matter) if enough of God's people are willing to fight on their knees in prayer with humility and sacrifice through fasting?  Will the leaders in the Body of Christ start rallying to this call to fasting and prayer in 2008 ... or will they just let evil keep making greater and greater inroads before we're past the point of no return, as some feel we already are? 

What would be wrong with the spiritual leaders in America calling at least a one-day fast every month ... say the first Sunday of every month ... until at least the Presidential election is over?  What would there be to lose?   The first Sunday of every new month works for me.  I commit to it.  I see it as nothing to lose, and everything to gain.  If the young men and women of our nation are willing to go to Afghanistan and  Iraq and die for America's continued freedom from terrorists ... surely I can give up food one day a month and fight against "evil forces" on my knees in prayer that wants America to lose the battle both in Iraq, and even more so ... the "battle for righteousness" here in America.

Can you fathom God giving the United States leaders who would boldly announce a public decree from time to time of the necessity to fast (with prayer) for causes of righteousness, and would have no fear of loss of popularity?  Could such a "miracle" happen?  I seriously question it anymore ... unless enough of God's people are willing to fast and pray for such a breakthrough.  What else will move God to perform such a "miracle"?  (If a majority of Christians no longer care, why should God care?).  I'm certainly open to suggestions ...

Here is another way of viewing political matters.  Concentrated prayer with periodic fasting may not give America our next ideal "righteous President," (though it MIGHT!) but it sure might move God to keep us from getting Satan's top choice for President.

After all is said and done, it might well be that the Holy Spirit is moving the heart's of God's people to walk closer with Him through prayer and fasting for reasons that have little do with who our next President and Vice President will be and what happens in government.  Spiritual darkness at various levels is growing across the land, and to spot it and not get unnecessarily caught up in it, walking more in the Spirit should help each of us make wiser decisions in a very challenging world, and deal with stress (the cares of this world) that constantly tries to ensnare us and rob us of our peace and joy in our intimate relationship with God.

Maintaining a close, intimate relationship with our heavenly Father is the only thing that will sustain Christians as we move ever closer to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to end evil on this planet once and for all.  If we fail to see that prayer and fasting is first and foremost a means of drawing closer to God ... we can grow to loathe prayer and fasting every bit as much as we loathe the deception and evil that proliferates around this globe.

* Footnote:  There seems to be a growing number of Christians who believes that America has already crossed over the line with God in open rebellion and unrighteousness to a degree that God is going to send judgment upon America (some believe very soon; others believe it's already here, but just in small doses thus far), and nothing is going to stop it now, including believer's engagement in 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

Then there is another group of Christians ... namely Prayer warriors - Prayer Intercessors -- who believe that God will withhold judgment from coming upon America to any major degree if enough Christians will fully engage themselves - and STAY engaged -  in 2 Chronicles 7:14. 

I am of the firm opinion that the more ways Satan can come up with to convince Christians it is a waste of their time to be fully engaged in 2 Chronicles 7:14, for whatever reasons, then the easier it would be for Satan to have his way here in the United States. (This applies to all countries; not just America).  God promises us in James 5:16 that the persistent prayers of just ONE Christian who consistently prays against evil has the ability to move God to do things that our human logic and reason may have a hard time believing.  I believe Christians should never stop praying against evil - period.  Christians should never stop praying for God's protection and blessings to surround us personally, our family, our possessions, our schools, our local church fellowship, our place of employment, our community or city, our state, our nation, and all those who are in authority over us.  Satan would like us to stop praying in that manner, because He's fully aware that He can never be certain what God might do when even just one righteous Christian refuses to let evil have its way and will press in with prayer (and fasting as the Holy Spirit impresses).   

On the other hand ... for Christians to have their "head in the sand" so to speak, and believe that America should somehow be exempt from coming under God's chastisement and discipline for the compromise of righteousness that it seems hell-bent in trying to get away with and still have God's protection and blessing ... I believe can be just as detrimental.  

For anyone not familiar with 2 Chronicles 7:14:

If my people who are called by My name will 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. 

http://hallindsey.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=237&Itemid=56

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/coming-attractions-in-world-affairs

  http://www.precious-testimonies.com/General/a-e/AmericanSuicide.htm

-- Norm Rasmussen, January 2008
   norm@precious-testimonies.com

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.  - Proverbs 14:34

Suggested Monthly Fast Days For 2008: