That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. JOEL 2:12-13 (NLT)

_____________________________________________________________________________

What does God say to us in a season of pandemic, protest, and politics? 

• Turn to me while there is time.
• Give me your hearts.
• Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
• Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.

What words does God place in Joel’s mouth?

• Return to the LORD your God.
• He is merciful and compassionate.
• He is slow to get angry.
• He is filled with unfailing love.
• He is eager to relent and not punish.

This is good prayer guidance for the time left before Election Day. It is good prayer guidance for the morning after and for however many mornings it takes to figure out who really won. 

This is good prayer guidance until things truly change for the better. 

I will start with me. You start with you. Let’s see how many others we can get to join us. 

Things have not yet bottomed out. Worse could come to worst. But it does not have to be that way. God offers us a way out. Let’s take it. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

I will return to God wholeheartedly.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Our Father, our nation needs you. The political parties are not going to save us. The news media are not going to help us. Social media will not correct us. We need you. Thank you for your mercy and compassion. Thank you that you are slow to anger and filled with unfailing love. Thank you that you are more eager to relent than to punish. We come to you with our whole hearts. We come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Our hearts are torn. We are helpless and hopeless without you. Amen.