The fires of hatred seem to be burning with an ever-increasing intensity within our nation. Mass shootings, sometimes violent protests, senseless acts of random and not-so-random violence are all part of the fabric of our experience on a daily basis. The divisions in our society feel like our nation is being split apart. Indeed, articles now freely circulate about a topic that only a few short years ago Americans would have thought unspeakable–to wit, the possibility of civil war. Where has the “united” in United States gone?

Stephen Covey, in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” listed 7 habits in which effective individuals regularly engage. His 5th was “Seek to understand, then to be understood.” Most folks are so busy shouting their viewpoint from any and every imaginable platform possible that they’re way too busy to listen to any other point of view but their own.

So I’m making a modest proposal. I’m asking every person of faith who is committed to the welfare of our nation to promise to spend at least 5 minutes a day praying for it. And if you happen to live outside the United States, great! Either pray for us (friends should pray for friends, after all) or pray for your own country. And if faith isn’t your thing (which I find a bit puzzling since you’re reading this blog), then send positive thoughts or energy or whatever it is you manifest.

These things tend to be more successful when committing to a specific time with a specific trigger. Doing this during one’s devotions, while taking a shower, or going to and from school or work may be good alternatives.

The Thing About Prayer

There are a couple things possibly worth pointing out about prayer. The first is that although we often do it, prayer at its best isn’t a telegram to God telling him how things should be run. I rather suspect he’s figured all that out long before any of us ever existed. Rather, it’s telling God how we feel, pleading for things that are dear to our heart.

The 2nd thing about prayer is that it often requires feet, specifically, ours. What steps can each of us take toward mending our nation’s fabric? We can say “o, it’s too large, what can one person do?” And the truth is not much. But when that person stands with God and others who want the same thing, and are willing to make the necessary sacrifices, then the power of that is unstoppable. As the song “Pass It On” posits, “It only takes a spark to get a fire going.”

I also note that one of those sacrifices may well (and likely will be) exiting one’s comfort zone.

So what is it that you can and will commit to do? First pray, but with the object of determining how God would have you act to bring about the answer to your prayer and be a co-creator with Him to advance his kingdom. Because surely a nation and a world being ripped apart is not that. We are God’s children. We are not helpless.

Lastly, ask yourself how Jesus might act. Let the Scriptures inform your decisions. WWJD (what would Jesus do?) was rather trendy in the 90’s and was derived directly from Charles Sheldon’s book called “In His Steps” which was written in the late 1800’s but is a very salient guide for our actions even today.

Please comment, either on songatmidnight.com or the Facebook page. I look forward to uniting with each of you. Thank you, & God bless.