Restore

by Joan on November 23, 2011

in 30 Days of Thanksgiving,Grace Café

He also restored the altar of the LORD and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 33:16)

Our small group has been studying Focus on the Family’s Truth Project. I find it sad that the truth behind the founding of our country and the values of our founders has been distorted. Many people celebrate Thanksgiving day without knowing or caring the original intent behind the holiday.

The scripture reference today speaks of Manasseh, who at one time led Jerusalem and Judea astray. But a time came when he was in much distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord and humbled himself. Scripture tells us that God heard his plea and brought him again into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. (2 Chronicles 33:13). Manasseh then turned from his wicked ways, taking away idols and foreign gods from the house of the Lord and restoring our alters.

I believe there is hope for our country, if we will but humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, and seek the face of the Lord.

Father, I thank you for our country, imperfect as it is. I am grateful for our founding fathers and for the vision they had for this nation. I pray for revival to sweep our land and that as a country, we would turn from our wickedness and seek you. Thank you for this holiday we celebrate, acknowledging that all blessings come from you and you alone.


 

  • Joan Davis

    I’m right beside you with your prayers for our country! I also have hope…and am encouraged to remember that God is in ultimate control.

    Blessings to you!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Hi Joan – I believe that God is not finished with us and am also encouraged that He is in control.

      • Joan Davis

        And that is definitely something to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

        • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

          Amen!

  • Donna Schultz

    A resounding AMEN to your prayer! Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Thank you, Donna. A blessed and joyful Thanksgiving to you, also

  • http://www.savedbygracebiblestudyblogspot.com Laurie Collett

    Amen and Amen! Our land desperately needs healing, which means that believers must humble ourselves, repent of our sins, seek His face, and pray….
    Thank God for His unpeakable gift of sacrificing His Son that all who trust Him may live!
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
    Laurie Collett
    http://www.savedbygracebiblestudyblogspot.com

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Hi Laurie – yes, that unspeakable gift! Many blessings to you and your family for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

  • http://www.mynuggetsoftruth.blogspot.com/ Erin Patrickk

    Joan, this is a much needed word and a wonderful prayer. My hope is that many many people around the country are praying this prayer. I will not lose hope in our country that was founded on Godly principles.
    Sister, I just realized I don’t have your blog button on my blog. I’m adding it right now! Forgive me, I thought I had it on there!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Hi Erin – I agree I will not and have no lost hope for our country. Don’t worry about the blog button. I’ve been at my new site for three months and still don’t have the blog buttons I want. I’d like a vertical scrolling marquee of them, but haven’t figured it out yet. I may resort to a page just for blog buttons – there are so many encouraging blogs and that I would like to share.
      Blessings,
      Joa n

  • http://www.heavenlyglimpses.blogspot.com Theresa

    I couldn’t agree more. May we remember the values this country was founded on. Praying with you!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Thank you, Theresa. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving.

  • http://bluecottonmemory.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/a-crocodile-under-the-bed/ Blue Cotton Memory

    First – I so love how God forgives us and in the repentance redeems us. Second, I try to teach my boys about our true history – but it takes doing our own research. It amazes me that schools created to teach children to read for the single purpose to empower them to read their own bibles now will not let the bible in those classrooms.

    Happy, Blessed Thanksgiving to you!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      It’s sad how much our country has changed. I realized that history had been distorted, but until our home group’s last session with the Truth Project, I didn’t realize how much.

      Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving.

  • Anonymous

    Believing with you that there is still hope for this great country that is only great because of its foundations and to the degree that we still hold to the God who inspired the freedom we love. As a Mayflower descendant, this is very personal to me!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      How wonderful to know your roots go back to the Mayflower. One of my cousins has done extensive genealogy research – our first ancestor came to America in the early 1700′s and we had at least one ancestor that fought in the Revolutionary War. Our ancestors also came to America in search of religious freedom.

  • http://patsypat.blogspot.com Patsy Paterno

    Hi Joan, praying with you for a revival of your country! AND my country the Philippines! God hasn’t given up on us and neither should we! Patsy from HeARTworks

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Hi Patsy – I agree God hasn’t given up on either country. Agreeing with you in prayer for revival.

  • Nona Perry

    Joan, I am praying for revival to start in one heart and then in another. I think it’s already started, I know many for whom, revival has already happened in their hearts. Don’t you? May it continue so that our country is saved. I’m praising God for His mercies.

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Nona – yes, I do know of some and I do believe there will be revival. Perhaps another “great awakening”. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

  • http://hallelujahanyhow.blogspot.com/ Karen

    Amen! Beautiful words for Thanksgiving! I hope your day was a blessed one!

    • http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com Joan

      Hi Karen – we had a lovely day. I hope your’s was equally blessed.

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