An Article of Faith

OneCry is a nationwide call for spiritual awakening in our nation.
Pastor Bill Elliff shares the following illustration to remind us of the hidden danger facing our nation:
“When the I-35 bridge collapsed in Minneapolis a number of years ago, sending 60 cars careening down into the Mississippi River, speculation regarding the cause started almost immediately.
“It soon became clear that the problem wasn’t simply a matter of external stressors. The collapse came from within, due to structural problems that were not readily apparent. In strategic areas, the metal supports slowly become ‘fatigued.’ After decades of heavy use, the bridge finally could no longer bear the weight.
“Sadly, after the crash, an investigation reveled that even though the bridge had been declared deficient by government inspectors, the serious work of overhaul was never prioritized. Restorative measures would have required shutting down the highway, rerouting traffic for months, and taking time to lift the entire structure in order to get to problems beneath the surface of the river.
“Doing what it took to address the real issues was deemed too difficult. Too time consuming. Too costly. No one was willing to make the necessary adjustments to do what was needed to avoid disaster. Band-Aids were used when a total overhaul was required.
“I wonder if America is in just as precarious a position today? Could business as usual be keeping us from taking seriously the dangers facing our society? Or, as in Minneapolis, perhaps the issues have been duly noted, but few are willing to do what’s necessary to go below the surface to the heart of the problems. The ‘Heavenly Inspector’ says, ‘Fix it,’ and we reply, ‘It doesn’t fit in our schedules. It’s too inconvenient. It won’t be popular. It costs too much.’ But how much longer can our nation bear the weight? Tomorrow may be too late.”
OneCry is calling people across North America to wake up to the spiritual emergency facing our nation and to unite their prayers, their voices, and their influence to cry out to God until spiritual awakening comes. Will you join the cry for our country?
Heavenly Father, with heavy hearts we recognize that the church in America is in a state of spiritual emergency. Like the churches warned in Revelation, we have become lukewarm and compromised, and the light of our witness has grown dim. We confess that despite access to more resources and biblical teaching than any other group of believers in history, we are not characterized by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge our lack of widespread impact for Christ on our lost and disintegrating culture.
Father, awaken us from our spiritual slumber and mobilize us to pray earnestly for revival. We desire to travel the narrow road of brokenness, humility, and repentance. In desperation for You, we cry out for the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit in our day. We confess that true revival is the only hope to reverse our spiritual recession and enable us to once again display the beauty of Jesus Christ and His gospel throughout the world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. (For information see: www.ONECRY.com.)
“If My people,” declares the LORD, “who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).

Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.