Day 12 - Pray That Sin Will Diminish in Our Community, Nation, and World
When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:4-6
The encounter of Moses with God at the burning bush must have been inspiring. It also must have been frightening. God announced to Moses that his presence made the place of their encounter holy. For that reason, Moses was required to remove his sandals. The very ground upon which he stood had become holy because of God’s presence. Moses was only to come so near. He was not to approach God any closer. Moses had an appropriate reaction. He hid his face from the presence of God.
In Jesus Christ, we are invited into an intimate access with God through the Holy Spirit. God not only lives with us but in us by the Spirit. The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the people has been torn asunder.
Nevertheless, God is a holy and burning fire. He is the God of all creation, who holds the destinies of every person in his hand. His name is holy, and to take it in vain brings guilt upon us. He is a great God and does not give his glory to another. We must not forget this aspect of God. It ought to create in us a great reverence. When we come into the presence of God, we find ourselves, just as Moses did, on holy ground.
It is good to pray that sin will decrease in ourselves, our community, our nation, and our world. God is a righteous judge. He judges both individuals and nations. For that reason we should be sober, humble, and faithful. One thing we can do as Christians is pray that sin might diminish. This is a prayer that asks that there be less drug addiction, human trafficking, criminal activity, hypocrisy, societal corruption, and disdain for authority. It asks for a greater measure of goodness, righteousness, and kindness among people.
Though the problems in our world seem insurmountable, nothing is impossible with God. Today pray for a decrease in sin in yourself, this community, our nation, and the world.