The Patriotic Prayer

Psalm 85:1–13 KJV 1900

Lord, thou hast been Favourable unto thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O God of our salvation, And cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: That thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, And grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; And shall set us in the way of his steps.

Introduction

Throughout 2022 our Theme has been “Pray First!” On the first Sunday of each month we have preached a message on prayer. Tomorrow we will celebrate the 4th of July, a holiday that recognizes the Freedom we have as a nation.

In Psalm 33:12

Psalm 33:12 KJV 1900

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; And the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

The United States of America is a great nation, not because of our wealth, or our wisdom or are ability to make war. But because of our God.

John 15:5 KJV 1900

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

With this truth in mind and with the idea that we want to Pray First, I felt like it would be appropriate to look at the Psalm which is in reality a Patriotic Prayer.

The 85th Palm is often a resource for revival preaching. But often overlooked is the fact that, as a pray song, it is patriotic in nature.

Notice Psalm 85:1

Psalm 85:1 KJV 1900

Lord, thou hast been Favourable unto thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

Psalm 85:12 KJV 1900

Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase.

Psalm 85:9 KJV 1900

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; That glory may dwell in our land.

The Psalmist is talking about his homeland. He pleads for Divine favor and genuine revival, but the point that

we must be careful not to miss is this. He was asking for revival for his land, for his country.

We often think of Psalm 85 as applicable for individual or church revival, and it is, but only secondarily. Primarily it was written to express a desire for national revival.

When I look at the events of the last several years. The Coronavirus Pandemic, the 2020 Election, the January 6th Insurrection, the war in Ukraine, the destruction of our economy, the Supreme Court decision on abortion and the response to it. I am convinced more than ever that we need and must pray for Revival. In our passage we will discover 3 precepts for national revival for which we should pray.

Body

I. We Should pray a prayer of Thanks - vs. 1-3

Psalm 85:1–3 KJV 1900

Lord, thou hast been Favourable unto thy land: Thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: Thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV 1900

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

II. We should pray a prayer of Turning - vs 4-8

Psalm 85:4–8 KJV 1900

Turn us, O God of our salvation, And cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: That thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, And grant us thy salvation. I will hear what God the Lord will speak: For he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: But let them not turn again to folly.

Acts 3:19 KJV 1900

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Greek Word for Repent = Metanoeo. Means to turn. It comes from a military command that literally mean to make an about face.

2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV 1900

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.

III. We should pray a prayer for Truth - vs. 9-13

Psalm 85:9–13 KJV 1900

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; And our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; And shall set us in the way of his steps.

Paul warns in 2 Timothy 4:4

2 Timothy 4:4 KJV 1900

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

John 17:17 KJV 1900

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 8:32 KJV 1900

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Conclusion

On this 4th of July as we celebrate this great nation and the Freedom we enjoy may we not forget to Pray first! Remembering that we....

...Should pray a prayer of Thanks.

…should pray a prayer of turning

…should pray a prayer for truth.