A Call to Repentance: WEEK NINE

2008-06-01T22:58:00.001-07:00

March 9, 2008

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32)

INTRODUCTION

This week, we continue to press in during WEEK NINE of the 40 Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, to offer prayers of repentance for the sin in the church, the sin in the nation, and the blessing of Israel.

We now address these areas:

1. SIN IN THE CHURCH: RACISM AND THE SPIRIT OF DEATH
2. SIN IN THE NATION: RACISM AND VIOLENCE
3. THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: DEALING WITH TRAITORS

SIN IN THE CHURCH: RACISM

REPENTANCE FOR SIN IN THE CHURCH:

RACISM AND THE SPIRIT OF DEATH

(Ezekiel 8:3-5)

You cannot pick up a news magazine without finding an article on racism. The need for reconciliation and healing between races surfaces in nearly every form of media. It cries for attention and healing. Racism is a complex and sensitive issue. Yet, the healing of our cities will not occur until the church is delivered of cultural pride and insolence and has, itself, become a source of healing. Therefore, regardless of your ethnic background, we entreat you to stay soft and open toward God. It is likely that old wounds shall resurface, and yesterday's fears and opinions rekindled. However, as the Lord is granting us grace, let us walk forward together toward Christ's healing.

Today's Cities And Yesterday's Sins

Although slavery was legally abolished in the eighteen- hundreds, racism continued. Its wound remains today in the soul of many blacks, propelling a growing percentage of young black men toward violence. These men neither understand their actions nor can they find a way out from the shroud of death which broods over their neighborhoods. The fact is, much of the violence in our cities today is the bitter fruit of a tree the white race cultivated in the soil of racism and slavery. In America today one in four black males over twenty-one is in some form of incarceration. And the highest cause of death among black men under twenty-five is homicide. It is only by the grace of God, Who became the strength of the black man early in his struggle, that the remaining majority found creative and productive ways to apply their lives.

The indignation in the soul of the black man can be traced to the unresolved conflict between their wounds and the ancestral sins of the whites who caused them. After studying what was done to the blacks, it is amazing that anyone should be puzzled by the deterioration of society in the black community. They were humiliated, separated from their homeland and families, treated as property, often subjected to great cruelty and violence-and still we ponder:

Racism, And The Judgments Of God

It was as we wept before God, crying out to Him for the soul of our cities, that the Lord began to reveal to us the consequences of racism. He said that it was not just a regional principality; its influence was global. It is a world ruler. Racism releases the curse of death indiscriminately from one race upon another. The Lord said that it is the spirit of death which is destroying our cities, and it has for its entry point the stronghold of racism and cultural contempt in the people.

"Racism releases the spirit of death from one culture onto another. In the face of this satanic world ruler, God is opening the floodgates of His River of Life; He shall bring healing to the nations. Indeed, even now, in the House of the Lord the phrase 'white church, black church' is being banished forever."

(Source: Francis Frangipane, "RACISM AND THE SPIRIT OF DEATH," taken from his series THE SPIRIT OF GOD'S KINGDOM: "Preparing Hearts For The Lord Jesus Chrisf," Vol 5, No. 3, June 1991. Published by Francis Frangipane, Box 10102. Cedar Rapids. lA, 52410)

[In weeks to come, we will offer repentance first for the sins of the "white church," and then for the sins of the "black church." In the Kingdom of God, there is no white or black church -- only His Church. Praise God!]

SIN IN THE NATION: RACISM AND VIOLENCE

REPENTANCE FOR THE SINS OF THE NATION:

RACISM AND VIOLENCE

A. The Ku Klux Klan Today

KKK: the Nazi salute and Holocaust denial. Although often still discussed in contemporary American politics as representing the quintessential "fringe" end of the far-right spectrum, today the group only exists in the form of a number of very isolated, scattered "supporters" that probably do not number more than a few thousand. In a 2002 report on "Extremism in America", the Anti-Defamation League wrote "Today, there is no such thing as the Ku Klux Klan. Fragmentation, decentralization and decline have continued unabated." However, they also noted that the "need for justification runs deep in the disaffected and is unlikely to disappear, regardless of how low the Klan's fortunes eventually sink."

Some of the larger KKK organizations currently in operation include:

Church of the American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan

Imperial Klans of America

Knights of the White Kamelia

There is a vast number of smaller organizations.

As of 2005, there were an estimated 3,000 Klan members, divided among 158 chapters of a variety of splinter organizations, about two-thirds of which were in former Confederate states. The other third are primarily in the Midwest region.

The ACLU has provided legal support to various factions of the KKK in defense of their First Amendment rights to hold public rallies, parades, and marches, and their right to field political candidates.

(Source: KKK article in Wikipedia)

B. Violence erupts at KKK rally in Midland, Texas

Saturday, June 17, 2006

[Editor's note: Although this news report is now almost two years old, it is a classic example of how racism is still manifested in our own cities. We offer this report to you for your prayerful consideration.]

Violence erupted Saturday at a Ku Klux Klan rally against illegal immigration as an angry mob protested the San Angelo based group's presence in Midland. "This rally was the largest of this type we've had," Midland County Sheriff Gary Painter said. "The one 15 years ago was nothing compared to this," he said of the 1991 Klan visit.Seven people were arrested during the two-hour demonstration outside Midland County Courthouse as rioting and altercations ensued . . . The crowd of predominately white and Hispanic protesters lined the streets, yelling at Klansmen in the loud and emotionally-charged protest staffed by nearly 150 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies. Painter said the approximate cost to taxpayers for manpower was $31,000.

While the Klan delivered speeches opposing illegal immigration, it was a message that went largely unheard as noisy rioters tried to drown them out. Protesters cheered loudly when the Klan picked up their belongings and left the courthouse lawn. They were then ushered out of town with a police escort, Painter said.

(By Shanna Sissom; City Editor; Midland Reporter- Telegram; 06/18/2006)

· Father, we see the headlines in the local news, and we understand that the Klan, and other related hate- groups, have not disappeared from America. We repent that we have allowed this evil wound to fester in our land, and we ask You for wisdom for those in authority as they seek to "reign in" these groups, for our own protection. We ask You to forgive those who are involved in these hate groups, and we cry out for their salvation, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL: DEALING WITH TRAITORS

THE BLESSING OF ISRAEL:

DEALING WITH TRAITORS WITHIN

There is in Israel certain citizens who want to see the Jewish state destroyed. In any other nation they would be called traitors and dealt with as such. But Israel is not like the other nations and permits this 5th column to continue their wicked schemes openly. Although we include in this some Israeli Jews of the extreme left- wing, this week it was Israeli Arabs who see their identity as tied in with the Palestinians - especially those of the Hamas/Islamic fundamentalist persuasion - causing much physical and emotional harm to this nation of Israel of which they are citizens. Although the percentage of Israeli Arabs who want to see this nation destroyed is most likely very small, still their aggressive threats towards both Israelis and their fellow Arabs who want to live in peace under I! srael - is a major issue that this nation will have to deal with very soon.

- Lord expose those Israeli Arab citizens who are trying to destroy this nation - especially the ring leaders.

- Father, watch over Your word to them in Jeremiah 12:14-17: "Thus says LORD against all My evil neighbors, that touch the inheritance which I have caused My people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, LORD lives; as they taught My people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of My people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, says LORD."

- O God, save many of Israel's Arab citizens so that they can call on Your name and be built up in the midst of this nation.

- Help them to be willing to live under Israeli sovereignty.

- Make Israeli Arab citizens recognize that the freedom they have in Israel cannot be found anywhere else in the Middle East and that that freedom is not a license to destroy this nation.

- Help Israel's security forces know those who need to be stopped from those who do not.

- Deliver Israel from the humanistic spirit that causes us to allow this cancer to not only exist in our midst - but to spread.

- Raise up Israeli Arabs who will publicly resist these traitors.

- Lord, with Arab Knesset Members who are always against anything Israel does to defend herself. Remove them from office.

- Help Israel's government become one that follows Your guidelines for a godly government - one that is a terror to the terrorists and a protector of the innocent (Romans 13:3-4).

(Source: Intercessors for Israel)

A Closing Thought . . .

The Holy Spirit Is at Hand to Help You

By A. W. Tozer

But why dost thou judge thy brother?. . . for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ( Romans 14: 10)

God in love and wisdom has given us in His Holy Spirit every gift and power and help that we need to serve Him. We do not have to look around for some other way!

The most solemn aspect of this is our individual responsibility. The Bible teaches that a day is coming when we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone faces a review of the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

In that day we will be fully exposed and the things that we have done in our own strength and for our own glory will be quickly blown away, like worthless straw and stubble, forever separated from the kind of deeds and ministries which were wrought by the Spirit and which are described as eternal treasures in the sight of God, gold and silver and precious stones that the fire cannot harm.

In that day, all that is related to the work of the flesh will perish and pass away, and only that which has been wrought by the Spirit of God will remain and stand.

Do you dare to accept the fact that the sovereign God has designed to do all of His work through spiritually gifted men and women? Therefore, He does all of His work on earth through humble and faithful believers who are given spiritual gifts and abilities beyond their own capacities.

It was the promise of Christ that "you shall receive power" through the ministry of the Holy Spirit - and along with power the bestowment of sweet graces and pleasant fruits of godliness when He is allowed to gain control of our persons!

Who We Are

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A Call to Repentance - 9

A Call to Repentance: WEEK NINE