Day of Repentance & Prayer in Saxony

Wednesday 21st November is a public holiday in Saxony. This is one of the few regions in Germany that still observes "Repent and Pray Day".

At the Jesus Haus, time on Tuesday evening was spent praying and declaring God`s promises and Word over Germany. Focusing on what He has done and is going to do in this nation. 

Not giving glory to the sins and shame of the past. But instead, looking ahead with expectancy of all that God has planned for Germany and the people of this nation.

I love the meaning of the word "repentance". It`s about turning back to God. Continually checking that your path is aligned with His path. That your heart is turned to His.

Repentance is really so releasing. Looking at Jesus. Placing your hand in His. Surrendering your steps and your heart to Him. Allowing His glory to shine through.

"...forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13b&14

I love that about Jesus. He died on the cross so that the past cannot hold us back. Through His resurrection power we can leave the past behind us and walk on into the new. Whole. Redeemed. Cleansed & free. Ready to do His will. 

The Destiny of Nations

Back to the bigger picture again. Destiny, the nations and you and me

The destiny of nations is in the hands of God. Many pray for transformation, reformation, revival in a nation. Prayer is important, uniting our hearts with the will of God. Things are changed. Learning to understand how He sees the nations and what His plans are is also important. 

But God crafts the transformation of the heart of a nation through men, women and children. Individually and corporately. Both through prayer and the reality of their lives.

I believe that reformation of a nation begins in the heart of individuals. I believe that it is extended through the transformation of families. Nations are fashioned as individual believers respond to God and collectively work towards the goals that God gives them for the nation. Church as it was intended to be.

It`s not about Church streams and fashions and denominations. It`s deeper than that. It`s not about riding the latest wave of spiritual "fashion". It`s about taking responsibility. 

For ourselves; our own hearts and lives. For the consequences of how and who we are on those around us. For our families, our businesses and our church life. It`s about relationship with God and real relationship with those around us.

Whether you live in your nation or abroad, God is waiting. Those around you are waiting. The land is waiting. Are you ready to accept your part in the bigger picture of the transformation of nations? Because you matter. We all matter. And together we cover the Earth.

"For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God." Romans 8.19

PERSPECTIVES

Crying out to God certainly brings answers. It also brings a different perspective on things. When we truly allow God to begin to work in a situation, we learn that He sees things differently than we do.

Where we see no other way, He makes paths straight beneath our feet. When we see limitations, He sees opportunities. I love that about God. He's so creative and always totally relevant. Surrendering to Him and putting our trust in Him changes our situation. Same landscape, but a different perspective.

Suddenly there are possibilities we didn't see before. Surprisingly, things we thought immovable begin to change. The Bible encourages us to bring our thinking into line with how God thinks (Romans 12.2). It's a key that changes our lives. We begin to see things God's way. It changes how we see ourselves. Even other people.

Best of all, it brings us to a place of peace. Our own worries or battles bring concern. But when we have God's perspective then we remember who is in charge. We remember that He has a plan and we begin to co-operate with Him. Our faith grows. We find a place of rest. A rest of faith.

Next time you cry out to God, don't just harangue Him with your frustration. Ask Him for His perspective on the situation. Allow Him to open up new possibilities.

Crying out to God

Sometimes we feel trapped. We can't find the way forward, or we can't find the way out. There are times in our lives when we need answers. People who know God will all testify that crying out to Him will bring an answer. Not always the answer we expect, but always one that ultimately brings good.

Crying out to God tells Him that you are ready to tackle the situation His way now. It shows that you recognise His greatness; that He is Lord. It is the point of surrender. The moment when we allow Him to take the reins in a situation.

Crying out to God can be a simple expressive cry or a long emotional outburst! Whatever the cry, remember that in the calm after the storm, He will comfort and He will speak. Depressed and discouraged, Elijah heard the still small voice of God as He hid, a refugee from the infamous Queen Jezebel. Hannah sobbed and cried out to God in the temple before Eli the priest came and spoke right into her situation. And Jeremiah sat in prison when God came to him and spoke:
"Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know." (Jeremiah 33.3)

Crisis points are good for us. They remind us who really has control. They teach us so much about God and ourselves. But you don't have to wait for a crisis...

When was the last time you cried out to Jesus?