Last week the shadow of division deepened over America as political warfare reached new heights.
Chaos erupted when president Trump fired FBI Director Comey. Democrats, who just the week before had excoriated Comey for his role in their 2016 election loss, suddenly found him to be a hero of the republic. Leakers in the government and even the White House fed the media’s frenzied efforts to demonize Trump. Of course, Trump and the Republicans have played into their enemies’ hands with mixed messages and inappropriate responses. Jesus warned that “Any Kingdom divided against itself will be ruined and a house divided against itself will fall.” (Luke 11:17). We are in grave danger.
If we want to heal our land, the first step is to humble ourselves, pray, and seek God’s face. (2 Chronicles 7:14). We believe that God is calling for a season of prayer during the Jewish season of Teshuvah, a 40 day period leading up to the Day of Atonement. The word “Teshuvah” literally means “to return to the presence of God”. This year there will be a spectacular Solar Eclipse on the First Day of Teshuvah, August 21, running from coast to coast, inviting us to return to His presence and warning us of the shadow of division. We must hear from Heaven to heal our land.
The second step to healing our land is to repent of our sins (2 Chronicles 7:14). In the Jewish tradition, Teshuvah is a time for repentance. We must return to God by repentance as individuals, as the Church, and as a nation. The Church, in particular, must repent of its sins of division. As Lou Engle has said “Only a united Church can heal a divided nation.” Please look at our website, Teshuvah2017.com, for more information. You can also read more about the prayer initiative in our book Teshuvah Eclipses, just released by Creation House.
The third step to healing our land is to join the movement to end the divisions in the Church. Many of the American Church leaders have begun reconciliation with the Vatican after Pope Francis sent a historic video to Kenneth Copeland in 2014. This year, 2017, there are a number of reconciliation meetings as we remember 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, the 50th anniversary of the Charismatic Renewal and the liberation of Jerusalem, and the 40th anniversary of the great Ecumenical Charismatic meeting in Kansas City in 1977.
Perhaps the most important reconciliation event in 2017 will be held in Kansas City on October 24-26. The meeting will be a convocation of national leaders, from Kenneth Copeland to Cardinal Di Nardo, President of U.S. Bishops. Through prayer, worship, dialogue, and fellowship the spirit of reconciliation will imparted to local leaders who can impact their communities. To find out more, see their website, Karios2017.com.
The fourth step to healing our land, revival, can come as the Church displays visible unity and love. Jesus prayed for unity of the Church and added that unity would “Let the world know that you (God) sent me” (John 17:23).
We invite you to join us in prayer and repentance through Teshuvah 2017, and to join us in the great work of Christian reconciliation and healing our land.