The history of America is full of moral struggles. Although founded in 1776 on the idea that “all men are created equal,” there remained an estimated 500,000 slaves who would not partake in the new nation’s freedom, according to the Oxford Handbook of the American Revolution. In the 1950s and 60s, America made great strides on the path to racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement, but this coincided with societal degradation in the form of the sexual revolution.
Since that time, other national sins have raised their heads. A 2024 report from the Charlotte Lozier Institute lists America as one of the world’s most pro-abortion countries. On top of that, a Pew Research study from February 2025 found that 56% of Americans believe that health-care professionals should be banned from providing care related to gender transitions for minors, indicating that the remaining 44% are either in favor of or neutral toward gender transition procedures for children.
What are the people of God to do in the face of profound national sins?
Historical evidence
“Pray,” urged Dr. Jeff Schreve, pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas, and host of Real Truth for Today, heard weekdays at 8 a.m. Central on AFR. “Christians in America need to pray for our country and leaders. Following the prescription in 2 Chronicles 7:14, God hears, forgives, and heals the land. We deserve judgment, but God is rich in mercy and will show His compassion, kindness, and power, if we pray.”
History attests to the transforming power of prayer. According to Schreve, the 1857 Businessmen’s Revival in New York, led by missionary Jeremiah Lanphier, began as a small, weekly prayer meeting but quickly grew into a sizeable daily gathering. Fueled by prayer, an estimated one million people came to faith in Christ as the revival expanded to other cities.
“The First and Second Great Awakenings in America also came about because God’s people began to pray, seek His face, and get right with Him,” said Schreve. “Prayer always precedes a great move of God.
Divine access
“Indeed, God desires to see our nation turn to Him in repentance and faith,” he added. “As Ezekiel 18:32 states, ‘For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,’ declares the Lord God. ‘Therefore, repent and live.’”
Referring to God’s mercy and grace for sinners, Shreve said Jesus – the High Priest – sympathizes with our weaknesses and, according to Hebrews 2:18, “come[s] to the aid of those who are tempted.”
Schreve explained that a Christian’s prayers can confront a lost world with a righteous God. Therefore, Christians who desire for their nation to receive God’s reviving mercy must fully utilize this divine access.
“There is no change until people are convicted of their sins before a Holy God,” Schreve said. “But when they see that they are on a collision course with death and Hell, cries for mercy and grace begin to bombard the throne of Heaven. We should pray for God to soften hard hearts and break up the fallow ground so that the seed of the Word of God can penetrate and bear fruit.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the May 2025 print edition of The Stand. Click Here for a free six-month subscription.)
