Scripture reading: II Chronicles 7:11–22

Imagine

Then he [King Solomon] knelt on his knees in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven, and said, “O LORD . . .” (II Chron. 6:13b-14a)

 

Picture this. Thousands gathered on the mall in Washington for a solemn assembly. A hush falls over the crowd as the president walks to the raised platform and falls on his knees. With hands outstretched to heaven, he begins to pour out an impassioned prayer to God, confessing the sins of the nation and pleading for divine mercy on the land. Hard to imagine? Yes, but something similar actually happened in Kampala, Uganda, in October, 2012. At Mandela National Stadium, President Museveni, accompanied by his wife, openly repented for his sins and the sins of his nation.

Father God in heaven . . . I stand here on my own behalf and on behalf of our past leaders to repent. We ask for your forgiveness for our own sins and those of our past leaders . . . We confess sins of idolatry and witchcraft which are rampant in our land. We confess sins of shedding innocent blood, sins of political hypocrisy, dishonesty, intrigue and betrayal. Forgive our sins of pride, tribalism and sectarianism; sins of laziness, indifference and irresponsibility; sins of corruption and bribery that have eroded our national resources; sins of sexual immorality, drunkenness and debauchery; sins of unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred and revenge; sins of injustice, oppression and exploitation; sins of rebellion, insubordination, strife and conflict . . . Lord, forgive us and give us a new beginning. Give us a heart to love you, to fear you and to seek you. Remove far from us all the above sins.

We pray for national unity . . . Help us to love and respect one another and to appreciate unity in diversity . . . Deliver us from ignorance, poverty and disease. As leaders, give us wisdom to help lead our people into political, social and economic transformation.

We want to dedicate this nation to you so that you will be our God and guide. We want Uganda to be known as a nation that fears God and as a nation whose foundations are firmly rooted in righteousness and justice, to fulfill what the Bible says in Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation, whose God is the Lord.” . . . I renounce all the satanic influence on this nation. And I hereby covenant Uganda to you, to walk in your ways and experience all your blessings forever. In the Name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It wasn’t long ago that evil Idi Amin ruled Uganda, imposing a reign of terror over his land. America sent missionaries there because we believed they needed our moral and spiritual help. My, how times have changed! Today, perhaps the time has come when America needs to be evangelized by Ugandans!

Imagine what might happen in this great land if our leaders led us in repentance. Revival begins when we begin to imagine it happening. So go ahead, imagine!

 

We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown.

But we have forgotten God . . . We have become too proud to pray to the

God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before

the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for

clemency and forgiveness.—Abraham Lincoln

 

point to ponder • “In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States and is printed on all of our money.

prayer focus • The President of the United States.