Hope for America

Is there Hope for America?

Dr. Bob Bakke is the senior pastor of Hillside Church in Bloomington, Minnesota. A graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and an author and TV producer. The following is from Dr. Bakke’s article, American Pentecost:

Hopeless? Is our nation's current situation beyond fixing? Hardly. We've been here before.

Among the first and greatest national experiences of the United States was a massive spiritual awakening in the face of overwhelming problems. Consider these dire challenges that faced our nation preceding perhaps the greatest movement of God in our nation's history.

Economic Disaster and Plagues - The tragic after-effects of eight years of the War of Independence with England were profound. The 1790’s were years of grave national doubts. We faced the enormous pressures of two superpowers on our borders (France and England) and the constant threat of war.

We teetered on the edge of national bankruptcy, exacerbated by a banking crisis and a real estate speculation bubble that burst. Without the English navy, the U.S. had terrible trouble with pirates interrupting our trade. Twenty percent of our annual national budget went to pay off Muslim pirates in North Africa, and the French and English were taking our ships in the North Atlantic.

Plagues were killing thousands of our citizens. The Capitol was moved from Philadelphia to Trenton, NJ, each spring to escape the banks of the Delaware River, thought to be the source of illness there. The nation also teetered on the verge of famine because of diseases in crops.

Political Unrest and Empty Churches - The editorial pages and cartoons were among the most vicious in American history. Political rancor was fed by newspapers essentially owned by the political parties--rancor highlighted by a duel between two prominent political figures, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. The famous duel left Hamilton dead.

The nastiest presidential election in U.S. history between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson was thought by many to be a political struggle for the soul and future of America. Many Christians were convinced that Jefferson was the antichrist.

An anti-Christian French Enlightenment was sweeping through the intelligentsia (affecting publishing, schools, and government). The "Reign of Terror" caused fear of French terror cells. There was political unrest and riots in our cities. Federal troops were called on to quell anarchy.

Universalism swept away established churches, and most churches were empty. Pastors wrote that these were the worst times they could ever have imagined. Others wrote of "coarse sensuality" and intense partisanship in the land. Irreligion was rampant on college campuses. On some campuses, Bibles were publicly burned. At major schools only a handful of students confessed Christ.

A Spiritual Explosion - What happened? The pastors began a movement of prayer. It was small at first, but it grew. After years of seeking God, in 1801 a spiritual explosion took place that swept our nation like a wildfire. Vanderbilt University historian Paul Conkin calls it "America's Pentecost." Mark Noll, a historian specializing in the history of Christianity in the U.S., insists it was our nation's most important religious moment that changed the course of history.

Hundreds of denominations were born and thousands of churches were founded. Modern missions exploded on the scene, as well as tract and Bible societies. Abolition was launched. Hospitals, schools, and colleges were founded. The 1st Great Awakening infiltrated every area of life and it spun out for nearly 50 years. The impact on our nation and around the world was astounding. “

The problems of our forefathers sounds very similar to our problems today, does it not?

Unity is the Theme for NDP

In the midst of similar problems today, we pray with hope and confidence. We have seen the glory of Christ before

Unity is the Theme for NDP

Eph

Ephesians 4:3 NKJV

endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Our Nation and world is in desperate need for unity.

Unity is precious in God’s sight.

Psalm 133:1 NKJV

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

These scriptures refer to the body of Christ, the church

Pastors unifying in prayer started the 1st Great Awakening. They then led their people to join in prayer.

Ephesians 4:1–6 NKJV

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Pastors unifying in prayer started the 1st Great Awakening. They then led their people to join in prayer.

Acts 2:1 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Greek homothymadon - denotes the inner unity of a group, “of one mind“

Unity must start in the church and the full context of emphasizes how we should do this:

Ephesians 4:1–6 NLT

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.

As we pray today, let’s pray with a unified Spirit of hope and confidence, knowing that we have seen the glory of what Christ can do through His church.

As we pray today, let’s pray with a unified Spirit of hope and confidence, knowing that we have seen the glory of what Christ can do through His church.

Prayer Team

Prayer Team

Authorities / Government

Military

Military

First Responders

Church (unity)

Schools

Families

Missionaries

Closing prayer (hearts open to receive Word, Repentance,

As we close today, let our actions be worthy of our calling and the one who called us. Showing patience and love toward each other and allowing room for our minor differences because we are focused on “ONE” thing we have in common, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!