I am in Washington DC for the annual AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference.  It promises to be a very exciting and educational opportunity for those of us who have never attended.  More about my experiences at the conference as I have time to report…stay tuned!

Meanwhile, I went on a prayer walk around the US Capitol, the White House, and the major sights on the national mall yesterday.  Purposefully, I went alone, to be led of the Lord in a special day of prayer.  Thus, I want to share a bit about what struck me as I walked and prayed.

First, it was a very dreary day.  Following unseasonably warm days in DC (mid-70’s) just before my arrival, the weather was rainy, windy, and cold (high of 42, low of 31) yesterday.  Thankfully I was dressed for it, so weather wasn’t so much an issue in that regard.  But it did bring about a sense of oppression, particularly when coupled with what struck me as a “spiritual heaviness.”  I can’t point to any one observation, but can only say that I “felt” a heaviness.

It seemed to be confirmation of what I have sensed regarding where we are headed as a nation, short of a third Great Awakening, for which I have been praying for many months now.  (Here, here, here for example.)  Thus, I spent concentrated time praying for our

President and his administration as I walked all the way around the White House. I also prayed that the next President to reside there will seek righteousness, and will lead our nation in a way that pleases the Lord.

Next, I prayed for every state as I walked all the way around the US Capitol Building, and I prayed that the Senators and Representatives of every state will encounter the Lord in a profound way.

Then, I walked to the Supreme Court, where I prayed for each Supreme Court Justice by name, and I asked the Lord to appoint a worthy replacement for recently-deceased Antonin Scalia (a faithful conservative anchor for many years).  I prayed that the choice will be glorifying to the Lord, and that the new justice will uphold the constitution and will seek the Lord in every decision he/she makes.

Besides the oppression I sensed, however, there was something else to which I was spiritually acutely sensitive.  That was the fact that, in America, our house is out of order and in need of major repair (spiritually).  Ironically, the Capitol Building has been under scaffolding for well over a year now, as a major restoration project takes place.  Understand, I am not against restoring our national treasures, but I find it very ironic that, just as our Congressional “house” is out of order spiritually, it is also out of order literally.  A visible sign of a spiritual truth.

However, I found our national mall, a symbol of America at-large, to be a total wreck as well.  There are portions where pedestrian traffic is not even allowed, due to the heavy equipment doing work there as well.  And it struck me…our government is a mess, and so is our country.  God help us if we continue to refuse to turn to Him.

I am proud to live in the greatest country in the history of mankind.  A government established on Godly principles, and a nation where freedom reigns.  But I wonder…is the country I love on the verge of implosion?  Are we seeing the last of a great nation?

Scripture says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”  (Psalm 33:12)  Gradually, America has pushed God out of government, schools, and homes.  Is He still the God of our nation…or is our blessing about to run out?  Christian friends, we must pray, we must vote our values, and above all we must stand up for Godly principles and values.  If not us, then who will?