Today, I am delighted to welcome my wise friend, Rachel, to remind us that our healing begins with humility. Join us as we pray together: “Lord, heal our land.”

I grew up on a farm on the east coast of England. It was the “original” farm to table experience — a term for providing fresh food directly onto the table, which is now a popular trend.

Trellises of garden peas, rows of carrots, potatoes, spinach, beet and more filled the vegetable garden. Chickens gave us fresh eggs and also provided meat. As a child, I was given the task of picking the summer fruit — strawberries, raspberries, black and red currants. My uncle, living on the next farm, often gave us freshly caught fish straight from the sea.

Even though I knew my Bible, I did not relate what our garden provided to God being my Provider. My dad did all the gardening work. And of course, my mom would go to the store for whatever else we needed.

Since those days, I have either lived in cities or suburbs and, along with many of you, do not have a close existence with the land. There is little to remind us that the food we eat has been pulled from the ground or picked from a bush.

We also live in a country where we have everything at our fingertips in comparison to other parts of the world: we have ample food, health care, education, entertainment and much more. Although we know what we have is provided by God, we can become, even if not deliberately, independent rather than fully dependent on God. Independence is important to us. In fact, we celebrate independence and the freedom it brings each year.

So, how do we renew our daily dependence on God as our Provider? And why is this important?

Throughout the Old Testament, we see a close connection between the land and God as Provider. If the land did or did not provide food, it was God’s activity. God sent rain to grow the crops but also drought and disease that destroyed them. And so, the people were dependent on God for their food.

What the land provided was related to the people’s obedience and disobedience. If they obeyed God’s commands, then the land would flourish. If they disobeyed God, then failure would follow.

Yet, if God’s people humbled themselves, then God would heal their land.

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, NIV

Healing begins with humility.

We are no longer living under the Mosaic covenant with blessings or curses directly related to obedience and disobedience. Thankfully, we are living under the new covenant of God’s grace and favor through Jesus Christ.

Humility, however, is a virtue highly praised throughout the Bible and still applies to us today.

Yet, humility is not a quality sought after in our society today. Instead, we are often proud of our achievements and our place in the world, either as individuals or a country. To have power and significance as a nation and to be humble at the same time is difficult to balance.

As Christians, the Bible encourages us to have the same mindset as Jesus who “being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8, NIV)

Christ is our example to follow, because God’s blessing is provided to those who possess humility: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Humility should be something we strive for and practice.

As we pray and for whatever we pray, our prayers should begin with humility. In particular, we should remember God as our Provider of everything — from the food on our table to all things we have in life, including life itself.

Let’s humble ourselves. This week as you pray, ask: “where have I forgotten God is my Provider?” “How can I grow in humility?”

What would not only our lives but also our nation look like if we came humbly before God? We want the many blessings and healing God has for our land. Let’s make these things happen by beginning with humility before God our Provider.

Healing begins with humility.

Rachel is a British-born writer, author, and speaker whose passion is to help women become comfortable and confident in their conversation with God. Her blog “Praying Naturally” offers an extensive library of free prayer resources to help you deepen and develop your prayer life. Sign up to receive your free guide 4 Simple Steps to Creating a Consistent Prayer Life. Rachel is a wife and mom to three young adults. She cannot live without a mug of English tea. Connect with Rachel on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The Pray Big Sisterhood

Every morning, I wake up and lift my heart to God in prayer.

I praise Him for His glory and goodness.

I surrender my agenda and expectations to His greater kingdom purposes.

I yield my desires to do His will.

And, then I ask for Him to move a mountain.

I cry out to Him for that mountain to crumble.

I believe that God is bigger than any obstacle or stronghold.

Yet, my mountain remains — immovable and unyielding.

Do you have a mountain?   I bet you do.

Like me, you may be discouraged by the darkness that looms large in your view.

You aren’t alone. If we sat down today in my kitchen and shared our stories, I bet we would see similarities.

Together, we would ask God to move two mountains.

With worshipful hearts, let’s keep crying out to the Lord for those mountains to crumble.

Let’s pray big!

To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

 If you are visiting from Rachel’s today,

welcome to my little space on the web!

Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you

• • LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
  • PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
  • HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
  • STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.

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Challenge:

Begin each day this week by praying: Lord, I come before You in humility and ask You to heal our land. 

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