There is a story Lester Sumrall used to tell about Smith Wigglesworth. Lester was a young minister living in London, England, during World War II. One day he came to visit Smith, who was mentoring him during those days. Being a dapper young man, Lester dressed in the London fashion, regaled in the obligatory bowler hat with an umbrella in hand and a newspaper tucked under his arm. But Smith wouldn’t allow Lester in his house with the newspaper, calling it the lies of the devil. The paper reported all the horrible things happening in the war, but Smith believed that England would win the war.

In these troublesome times, I believe we can learn from Smith’s example. In Scripture, we see the 12 spies going up to scout out the land of Canaan. Was the land “flowing with milk and honey”? Absolutely! But there were giants in the land. “Those giants are too big for us,” said the ten. “But they are not too big for God,” said the two.What faith and boldness demonstrated by two unredeemed men under an older and lesser Covenant! Are we not now sons of the Most High? Does the Greater One not dwell in us? Can we not do all things through Him? Yes, we are well able!

“Cathy, don’t you understand that these are the end times?” Yes, hallelujah! It’s our time to shine! It’s what we were made for. It’s time to finish our race. Jesus said, “…Occupy till I come.” He did not tell us to bow down, wimp out, run in stark terror, or give up. No! Never! We wrestle not against flesh and blood as we put on the whole armor of God. The weapons of our warfare are mighty! We have the name of Jesus, the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. There is no weapon formed against us that can prosper.

I know there are many naysayers in the Body who talk about the decline of our nation. If I were moved by what I see and hear, I’d be forced to agree. But then I read First Timothy 2:1-4!

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. — 1 Timothy 2:1-4

Why pray? To get a result. What result? “…That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Paul gave this instruction in an era where debauchery was a part of the worship of Roman “gods.” It was a time when one had to bow down and publicly worship the  current emperor in order to buy food in the market. It was a decadent, vile era, yet Paul told believers to pray for their leaders. Will prayer work? It will if we work it.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. — 1 John 5:14,15

I am persuaded that God raised up our nation with a divine destiny. To date, we have contributed more to worldwide evangelization than all other nations put together. We have contributed more to disaster relief and humanitarian aid. When we war with a nation, we help rebuild it. Ask Germany. Ask Japan.

When I think of these things, I ponder God’s requirements for a “sheep nation.” Of all nations, America surely measures up. Even in the Old Testament, God gave an open invitation for us to “plead our case.” As a result of Abraham’s intercession, He would have spared Sodom and Gomorrah for the sake of ten righteous people. Are there not more than ten righteous in the cities of our nation? As the righteousness of God, we are in a better position than Abraham. As First Peter 3:12 says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.” We have an open invitation.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16

Let us lift up our voice for our nation. God wants to do what man cannot do. Ours is to pray. His is to act. Why pray? Souls. This election is about souls. The economy is about reaching the lost. The return of righteousness to our nation is about souls, for God

“…will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” — 1 Timothy 2:4

Let us pray, and God will do.