Planet earth is facing unprecedented challenges

I can almost hear our founding fathers echo this call: "America, Return to God!"

Does America need prayer? Look around. Television is filled with violence of every sort. Morals have gone. Sin seems to be accepted everywhere.

Planet earth is experiencing unprecedented challenges. We have made great strides in technology, but so has our enemies. Now, more than ever, we need wisdom, guidance, direction and most of all prayers.

It has been said that, "Everybody either has a problem, lives with a problem, or is a problem." Life has obstacles and difficulties. Prayer is our only way to win.

Many biblical instances of God's victories were won by prayer. In 2 Kings 19 Hezekiah prayed "O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand (Assyrian king) so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God." Hezekiah prevailed.

There is a big threat in America today. Our gracious God who has guided and directed this nation since its beginning has been ignored, blasphemed, forgotten and neglected.

How can God answer our prayers if we have no prayers to offer? How can God withhold judgment if we do not intercede for our nation?

Dependence upon God produces a cutting edge in battles. Prayer is the weapon.

Daily thank the Lord for life. It is a privilege to pray, not just in hard times, but all the time. He is the strength of life, the fortress and refuge in life's battles. With him on our side nothing is impossible.

Once again 2 Chronicles 7:14 echoes in my ears: "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 will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).

The enemy is "spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12.) They are trying to take the heart and soul of America.

A nation's greatest defense is "knee praying power." Abraham Lincoln once said, "I have frequently been driven to my knees by the conviction that there was no where else to go."

Finally, do not fall into despair, but rather be grateful that God has provided a way to avert his judgment. Rejoice in John 14:1: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."

Portales resident Joan Clayton is a retired teacher and published author. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]