America, America, God shed his grace on thee. We’ve recently observed another National Day of Prayer, which was formalized by law in 1952 as an annual event. I believe in prayer. What could be better for America than a National Day of Prayer? How about a National Day of Repentance? That’s where the real work starts.

I found three other occasions in United States history when a day of public prayer was observed — in 1775 by the Continental Congress, in 1798 by President John Adams and in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. In each instance, these leaders called for three things — humiliation, fasting and prayer. The 1952 proclamation by President Harry S. Truman failed to focus on humiliation and fasting. It is the omission of humiliation, however, that stood out most to me.

Humiliation refers to that sense of shame and loss of dignity regarding past conduct, that part of us that makes us want to change and do what is right. This change of mind is called repentance, and it does not come without reflection and humility.

Repentance is a thought process that leads to a change of action. As a nation, we need to take time and reflect on what we stand for and determine if it is consistent with the God we petition for mercy and grace on the national Day of Prayer

God requires repentance. He wants us to acknowledge, regret and change our minds about our wrongdoing. We must lose our pride and humble ourselves before him as we approach him in prayer.

As a nation, we are confused. We don’t even know what is morally right and wrong anymore. We are guided by political correctness, which has put a muzzle on the voice of truth and proved to be an enemy to common sense and sound judgment.

Since God is the focus of the National Day of Prayer, shouldn’t we at least entertain the notion to stop rebelling against him for 24 hours? Shouldn’t we use the day to think on our ways and make changes? After all, why should God listen to us when we don’t listen to him?

Until our individual and collective desires are in line with God’s will, I fear our prayers will be like simply wishing on a star. If we are unwilling to change what needs to change, if we are content to systematically removed God from every aspect of American life and culture, why go through the motion of praying to him?

When each citizen does what is right in his own eyes we weaken our nation. The net result is what we have — confusion and moral decline.

The God we petition requires us to follow him. We are either serious about prayer or we’re not. Let’s consider a National Day of Repentance.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Folks, it is clear what we must do and there is no way around it.