On March 26, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding the definition of marriage in the United States.
If individuals, churches or nations embrace official policies that blatantly violate Scripture, it signals far more serious levels of rebellion against God. The words of Isaiah 5:20 have direct application to the current condition of America. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” While Christians are not to be demeaning or unkind to those with different views, we must nonetheless stand strong for God’s foundational truths so clearly stated in Scripture. (Mark 8:38)
Since the Supreme Court ruling of Roe v. Wade in 1973, around 55 million unborn babies have been aborted in the U.S. It is staggering to consider the deafening cry from the blood of the innocent that rise to Holy God. To now trample on God’s clear definition of marriage would signal yet another point of profound rejection of the One Who has so mercifully guided our nation. If God were to completely remove His blessing and protection, the severe crises of today could one day appear as minor.
This is a call for God’s people to fully heed the command in 1 Tim. 2:1-2. “We are to pray for kings and authorities that we may live quiet and peaceful lives.” Sadly, in modern day America, an unelected group of nine people have ultimate authority over millions. On the BGCO Office of Prayer website, I have placed a specific biblical prayer guide to pray for the Supreme Court. It is vital that we pray for God’s direction in the oral arguments on March 26. But even more, we must pray for the deliberations and decisions of the court in the weeks until they rule. The prayer guide on our website also has been emailed to BGCO pastors.
An Even Greater Call for Revival in the Church—“If My People Will Humble Themselves and Pray”
It is crucial to remember that elections and Supreme Court rulings are in many ways only symptoms of a bigger issue. With nearly 400,000 “churches” in America, the only way we could have declined to current levels is profound apostasy, compromise and lukewarmness in huge numbers of American congregations. Rather than angrily cast stones at secular society, we must ever remember that “judgment begins at the house of God.” (1 Peter 4:17)
As God’s people, we are reminded that our faith is not in Presidents or Supreme Courts. Our faith is in the God Who can shake the heavens! Throughout the annals of Church history, many great revivals came at times of great darkness and decline.
In the fall of 2007, the book, Iceberg, Dead Ahead, described many potential conditions that have sadly since transpired. However, the book also reveals how God can still move in power through a small remnant that experiences true revival. Unfortunately, conditions must sometimes get worse before believers are sufficiently broken to fully seek God.
God’s people must never be shaken by negative conditions, elections or societal darkness. The key is for each believer and church to pray fervently and return to God in full first love surrender. For this reason, the prayer guides we provide are not just focused on the Supreme Court decision. While we are commanded to fervently pray for them, we must pray even more for revival in American’s churches. The prayer guide on our website contains specific prayers for both.
The book, Return to Me, is a day-by- day journey of intense prayer and repentance for current days.
Until the Supreme Court rules on the Proposition 8 Marriage Issue, may every Oklahoma Baptist pray fervently for God’s guidance and revival in the land. And long after the court ruling, may we continually seek God’s face until revival and spiritual awakening sweeps the Earth!
