Louisiana Day of Prayer

According to an article on Fox News the Louisiana State Legislature declared Sunday, June 20, a day of prayer "to focus on Divine intervention to find a solution" to the oil spill crisis plaguing the Louisiana Gulf coast. It is great that they recognize that in this time where the impotence of man has been openly displayed there is a God who rules and overrules all things with His mighty and sovereign power. It is great that our state has made a public declaration that God is our only hope during this time of desperate need. During our worship service yesterday we prayed seeking God's aid during this time of crisis.

What is missing in this plea for God's help, however, is any sign of repentance on the part of our state. It is so typical of the view most people have of God. Most see Him as a puppet to use at our convenience like a marrionette on a string. They see God as a good resource to help us in time of need as long as He doesn't make any demands of us. They are willing to add Christ to the rest of their idols but they are not willing to bow to Him exclusively.

God will not be manipulated. He is God; the only God. He commands, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." He commands all men everywhere to repent of their sin and turn to Him in absolute submission and obedience. What we need to hear from our legislature is, "Oh God, we have sinned! We have acted foolishly in seeking our own way. Forgive us of our iniquity." What we should hear from our state legislature is a declaration that our state will immediately seek to operate to the glory of God. Abortion is no longer legal in this state. The state lottery will be phased out over the next six months. Casinos have six months to close their doors and move out of this state. Our state will be restoring the "Blue Laws" in honor of the Lord's Day so that our citizens may spend the day worshipping God. This state no longer recognizes homosexuality as a legitimate expression of human sexuality and will seek to strengthen the traditional family.

You might say, the Federal Government would never allow some of these declarations. Our answer would be, we will obey God rather than man. God is bigger than our Federal Government. But how could our state survive without the revenue generated from legalized gambling? Is the God who is powerful enough to stop a spewing oil well not powerful enough to bless a state that seeks to honor Him? Is our state really willing to trust God, or do we simply want Him around long enough to plug the leak?

It is great that our state sees the value of prayer but prayer lifted up from idolatrous hearts will always be ineffectual. "So when you spread out your hand in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you, Yes, even though you multipy prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood" Isaiah 1:15). "Behold, the LORD's hand is not so short that it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).