Politics, Power and Pride

From time to time I run across a powerful and relative article that I post on my blog. Please read this and especially the prayer at the conclusion...its right on!

POLITICS, POWER and PRIDE:
How U.S Evangelicals Lost the Culture War and the Way Forward.
-by Eddie Hyatt.

Evangelicals may finally be realizing that political activism is not
the path to preserving the Christian character and culture of America.
After 30 years of the Moral Majority, the Christian Coalition and the
religious right, America, last November, elected what are probably
the most liberal president and congress in its history. Since that
time 5 states have legalized homosexual marriage and others are
poised to follow suit. Chuck Schumer, the influential, liberal senator
from New York, gleefully declared that, “All this talk about family
and traditional values is a thing of the past.” In the midst of all this,
Dr. James Dobson, whom many would consider the most prominent
voice of the religious right, solemnly announced, “We (evangelical
Christians) have lost the culture war.”

Although this turn of events is disturbing for evangelical Christians,
this could be the starting point for a national awakening unto God;
but only if we admit our failures and turn from the notion that we can
change America by our own efforts, political or otherwise.

We (Evangelicals) Have Been Wrong

Please understand that I am not suggesting that we should not
be good citizens and participate in the political process; nor am
I suggesting that God does not call some to civil service and
statesmanship. But I am convinced that evangelical Christians in
America crossed the line in trying to change America through
political activism. We thought that if we could get enough Christians
elected to Congress and elect a Christian president that we would
preserve our Christian culture and heritage. Instead, politics, power
and pride became characteristic of American evangelicalism, rather
than prayer, compassion, humility and spiritual power. We forgot
that America has a history of Spiritual awakenings and that this
“revival heritage” has been the preserving force of our Christian
culture.

God Will Not Ride in on Either an Elephant or a Donkey

Hopefully, some are beginning to realize that God’s purposes for
America will not be realized through a political process or political
party. As Dr. Tony Evans once said, “God will not ride into our
midst on either an elephant (symbol of the Democrat party) or a
donkey (symbol of the Republican party).”

In seeking a political solution to our spiritual problems we,
as evangelical Christians, identified ourselves with a particular
political party and, thereby, alienated ourselves from over half of
the American populace. This is not good! Neither Jesus nor the
earliest Christians identified themselves with any of the many
political parties that were operative in their day; but, instead,
preached a transcendent government or kingdom of God that
would transform individuals (and thereby society) from within. We
need to take a closer look at the New Testament in this area and
adjust our thinking accordingly.

Let’s Remember Our Revival Heritage

Spiritual awakenings are an intrinsic part of American history.
They are a vital part of who we are as a people. Perry Miller,
the late professor of church history at Harvard University, said
that the Declaration of Independence of 1776 was a direct result
of the preaching of the evangelists of the First Great Awakening.
Awakenings such as the First Great Awakening (1726-1750), the
Second Great Awakening (1801-1840) and the great Prayer Revival
of 1858 have preserved the Christian character of American culture
at crucial times in our history. These were not religious excitements
generated by the fleshly machinations of professional revivalists, but
divine visitations in answer to the fervent, faith-filled prayers of God’s
people.

It’s Time For Repentance & Change in the Church

America is in dire need of another national awakening. Such an
awakening cannot be organized or strategized by skillful religious
marketeers. Such awakenings are conceived in the womb of prayer
and given birth through the absolute trust and simple obedience of
God’s people. If evangelical Christians are ready to admit that
political activism is not the way to change America, this could be
the beginning of our finest hour. If we will repent for our politics, for
seeking power and for pride and call out to God with all our hearts,
there is no reason why God will not answer with another national
Spiritual awakening.

A Prayer For Spiritual Awakening

Here is a prayer that I offer for Spiritual awakening in this hour; and
I pray that individuals and groups throughout America will begin to
pray prayers such as this.

Oh LORD God, we come to You in the name of our LORD Jesus
Christ. We acknowledge that we have missed the mark in all our
efforts to save this nation. We repent of self-reliance and pride, and
for imagining that we could make a difference in this nation by our
own human efforts and through a mere political process. Oh LORD,
we acknowledge that only you can change the heart of this nation
and restore to it the fear and honor that belongs to You alone. We
pray today that you will turn our hearts to you. Send the fire of your
presence, power and love once again to this nation. We pray for
another Great Awakening!