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With more and more headlines of Islamic extremism and Christian persecution filling our news feeds, I am continuously reminded of the brokenness of our world.  I would submit, however, that the terrorism of our day does not merely center on the difference of religious ideology or attacks against our physical safety.  What has troubled my spirit even more these last few weeks is the prevailing darkness that is besieging so many families and individuals in our community.  There is a surreptitious movement of spiritual and emotional terrorism that plagues the hearts and minds of so many around us.

 

In my work with Community Ambassadors, I have the opportunity to meet with many people in our community each and every week.  As I listen to the stories of those struggling through their own personal crises, and witness the pain of their brokenness and the devastation of sin, there is a cry that wells up in my spirit for God to bring healing and hope to our world.  Broken homes, lost jobs, terminal illnesses, abusive relationships, feelings of utter hopelessness…. God save us.

 

Years ago, God gave me a vision of what He desired to do in the Parma area.  It was a vision of unprecedented revival among the church and of reconciliation for those apart from God.  A day where the glory and power of God was not withheld, but rather poured out and manifested mightily.  A day of healing, restoration, and victory.  I hold to this dream every day.  I see it and sense it on the horizon.  But the question I've been toiling with as of late is am I fervently praying for it?  Am I seeking God earnestly to bring this vision to fruition?

 

In Nehemiah chapter 1, we see Nehemiah crying out to God.  Nehemiah knew the promises of God for Israel. He knew that, according to the Lord's covenant, if the people of Israel returned to Him, He would bring them out of exile, gather them together again, and bring them to the place of His dwelling. Nevertheless, we don't find Nehemiah holding passively to this promise and hope. On the contrary, we find Nehemiah in a posture of prayer, fasting and weeping before God - for days, mind you - praying for God’s promise to become an immediate reality.

 

In talking with many of the pastors in the Parma area, I know I do not stand alone in what I feel about the future.  There are pastors and leaders that have shared with me their visions and anticipation of what they believe God is doing in our community.  It’s all very exciting. Yet, like Nehemiah, we must not simply hold to these visions and promises that God has given us. We must pray for them.

 

This is why I am asking every pastor, priest, and church leader in our area to join me and enter into a season of focused prayer and fasting.  First, let us lay aside every weight and distraction that besets us and our ministries.  Then, may we lift up our community in earnest petition before God and intercede on behalf of those who are short on hope. We need God in this hour to manifest Himself mightily among our community and through our ministries.  We desperately need to see the Holy Spirit working - renewing lives, restoring families, and reviving our churches.

 

How bad will it need to get before we break ourselves and mourn and fast and pray like Nehemiah did?  When will we reach the place that nothing else matters but the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the lost and hurting?

 

Lord, let there be a sudden quaking in our spirit that awakens our hearts for what you are wanting to do in our community.  Let anything and everything that is obstructing your presence and power in our lives to be shaken, removed, and destroyed.  Lord, have mercy on your Church and on our community that we may witness the favor of your hand and the power of your glory among those that call on You.  Reveal yourself, oh Lord, like never before. We need you. Our community needs you. Amen.