As I was in the shower last night (where I think best), I had a sense of heaviness about the state of our nation. I’ve been praying specifically about the Supreme Court hearing of Hobby Lobby’s case regarding the Obamacare contraception mandate, and I was so discouraged this week to hear about World Vision’s decision to cave on the same-sex marriage issue. I predicted that World Vision would reverse course because of the outrage of their supporters, but that they made such a decision in the first place tells much about the lack of convictions in their leadership.

There’s so much moral decline in this country today that I truly wonder how God can continue to tolerate us. If we went the way of Sodom and Gomorrah, it would certainly be justified.

I enjoy keeping up with political issues and getting involved where I can, but if I focus too much on the state of affairs, it becomes such a burden that I have to step away for a while to recharge. This happened when Obama was first elected in 2008. I had prayed my heart out, while doing what I could to help him be defeated; when he was elected I felt so down and dejected that I couldn’t even look at political news for weeks. I felt like our nation was doomed, and many of my fears are now coming to pass.

My dad reminds me often that the answer to the woes of the nation lies not in politics but in leading people to a saving relationship with Christ. Politics can’t change hearts, but God can. While I agree with my dad that heart change is needed, I also believe that passing (and enforcing) good and moral laws can certainly help to lead our nation back in God’s direction. Our founders certainly understood this. The very foundation of our government is rooted in and derived from God’s Word. Wallbuilders is a great resource for examining the moral underpinnings of this nation.

For instance, if abortion were finally (and again) illegal (which I pray is coming soon), millions of babies would be born that otherwise would be slaughtered in the womb. If our government fostered an atmosphere of respect for all life, many millions of people would take notice and follow suit. Sure, some women would still find ways to end the lives of their children, but I believe the vast majority would deal with their unplanned pregnancies without bloodshed.

On the marriage front, if we had the gumption to pass a Federal Constitutional Amendment affirming marriage as between one man and one woman, our government would in essence give its blessing and support to family the way God intended. As things stand now, federal judges are striking down state marriage amendments right and left, in spite of the overwhelming support with which they were passed. Our young people are being deceived into thinking that homosexuality and same-sex marriage are acceptable as alternative lifestyles and should be afforded the same rights and protections as biblical marriage. What has happened in just a few short decades to turn the tide from outlawing sodomy to celebrating it?

I believe that this verse holds the key to turning our nation around:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Did you notice that God’s people have to take action if we want God’s healing for our nation? First, we have to humble ourselves. We need to recognize that without God we are fully and completely hopeless. God is the only One who can change hearts, minds, worldviews, and ultimately lives.

We need to pray and seek God’s face. I think things look so hopeless sometimes that we forget how much power there is in prayer. I believe that God hears our prayers and breaks into this dark world in tangible ways when His people spend time praying and seeking Him.

The next action is big. We must turn from our wicked ways. This means that we don’t go along with the wickedness of the world for “unity’s sake.” We stand up for God’s truths no matter the consequences. We don’t compromise.

Here’s the cool thing about this If/Then situation. God says that IF we do all of the above, He WILL hear us. He WILL forgive us. He WILL heal our land.

I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope when things feel hopeless. God is still in control. God is still on the throne. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)