Inspiration

More With Us

By Connie Arnold

It was night, and Elijah, the prophet, was hiding out in a cave when the Lord called to him, “Elijah! Why are you here?” (1 Kings19:9-10 NCV).

He answered, “Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you as well as I could. But the people of Israel have broken their agreement with you, destroyed your altars, and killed your prophets with swords. I am the only prophet left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

We heard the Lord answer, “I have seven thousand people left in Israel who have never bowed down before Baal and whose mouths have never kissed his idol,” (1 Kings 19:18 NCV).

The past two years have seen people everywhere isolate, hide within four walls, venture out only for the necessities of life, and then scurry back to the perceived safety of their homes. Worship fled from of our churches into our houses. Our vision became nearsighted–an ‘us-four-and-no-more’ mentality. The evil around us is now projected on a larger screen at a louder volume, and we cower.

Now we hear the Lord say to us, “Why are you here?”

And we might ask, “Where are some of the thousands of people who still serve you?”

May 5, on the broadcast of 2022 National Day of Prayer in Washington, D.C., I saw some of them. I saw men and women humbling themselves, and as one voice, praying for God’s mercy, protection, and guidance for our nation. These were leaders at the forefront of the march for salvation through Christ. Each speaker represented thousands of Christ followers. Repentance and revival were held up as the way back to becoming, once again, a nation which God can bless.

“If my people, which 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. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place,” (2 Chronicles 7:14-15 KJV).

No self-aggrandizement. In every prayer, the Name of Jesus was lifted and given glory. Every request was given in the Name of the One who died that we might live.

Over and over again, the leaders quoted Colossians 2:6-7 “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus, the Lord, so walk ye in him, rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

And, let all the people say, “AMEN.”