The setting was festive with Christmas décor and cookies but the discussion was holy. I was sitting in the governor’s mansion with about 75 pastors and leaders from around the country—including Mike and Cindy Jacobs, Pastor Jim and Rosemary Garlow, Paul Tan, and E.W. Jackson—to hear what was on Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s heart about the United States of America.
Although he’s a successful politician, Jindal understands that leadership in America will not come from a politician or a movement for social change. After sharing his powerful testimony of how Christ found him, Jindal pointed to the need for a “spiritual and transforming revival” that would help us recapture the vision of American pioneers who on the Mayflower signed, “In the name of God and for the advancement of the Christian faith.”
With that Jindal invited us—and Americans across the country who are crying out for mercy over judgment even in the face of a brittle economy, raging immorality and an uncertain future—to join him at The Response in Baton Rouge on Jan. 24.
“These are historic and defining times, a new world order of chaos is being driven by militant Islam seeking to impose Sharia Law worldwide. Our nation is faced with fatherless homes, an epidemic of drugs and crime in our inner cities, a saturation of pornography, abortion, racism—Jesus Christ, Son of God and Lord of Life, is America’s only hope. We need a spiritual transformation,” says Jindal. “There is good news; Scripture reminds us that as we come before the Lord in a posture of humility, honesty and repentance, then ‘The Lord will hear from heaven, forgive and heal our land.'”
I can hear the skeptics now, saying, “Another day, another prayer rally.” I understand—but do not agree—with that sentiment. The naysayers point to the houses of prayer all over the world—some of them are filling the bowls 24/7—without any discernible change. Others point to Lou Engle’s TheCall, Faytene Grasseschi’s TheCry, OneCry, Cry Out America, Broken Before the Throne or even the National Day of Prayer and figure we’ve done all we can do to fulfill 2 Chronicles 7:14. But we can’t give up now!
As more saints intercede in alignment with the heart of the Father, the prayer movement becomes like a proverbial snowball rolling down a hill—eventually the bowls of prayer will tip over (see Rev. 5:8). We can’t merely look at the results in the natural to gauge our impact in the spirit. The results will eventually become visible if we remain faithful to believe God’s Word doesn’t return to Him void (see Isa 55:11).
Let us not become weary or faint in praying for God’s will. We will reap a harvest from our faithful prayers if we do not give up (see Gal. 6:9). And reaping a harvest of prayer results can sure light a fire in the heart of a believer who wants to see God’s kingdom manifest—who wants to see the “spiritual and transforming revival” that’s also burning in Jindal’s heart.
As that fire spreads, so does God’s will across the earth. We can see transformation in this land. We really can. God wants to bring transformation. I’m not the only one who believes that. In my upcoming book on transforming revival, I received insight from Dutch Sheets, Billy Graham, Reinhard Bonnke, the late Steve Hill and many others about God’s will for our nation. It brought hope to my heart and courage to my soul for the days ahead.
I believe all prayer rallies are significant. I believe they all make an impact. I believe where two or three gather in the name of Jesus, He is there in their midst (see Matt. 18:20). I believe if one puts a thousand to flight, two can put 10,000 to flight (see Deut. 32:30). And I believe when thousands gather despite race, culture, denomination or agenda, it touches the Father’s heart and He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we have asked of Him (see 1 John 5:15).
That’s why I’ll be at The Response: a Call to Prayer for a nation in Crisis with Jindal and many others, in a posture of humility and honest repentance, asking the Lord to hear from heaven, forgive and heal our land. You can join me on Jan. 24, 2015, at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—or watch it streaming live at theresponsela.com.
As Jindal put it, “People from all ages, denominations, ethnic and racial backgrounds will gather to pray and fast for America, asking God for mercy and grace for what we Christians have allowed in our nation. May His church have a corporate heart awakening to bring healing to the soul of America.” Amen.
Jennifer LeClaire is senior news editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale and author of several books, including Satan’s Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft, and The Spiritual Warrior’s Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.