I am convinced that we need to be on our knees crying out for this one thing:

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

On several occasions, the Lord has directed me to cry out for mercy seven times as loud as I could. And corporately too. I am not a loud or hollering type of person. But I do my best to obey. I was tremblingly nervous, but I belted it until my voice went hoarse. You go to bed and wonder sometimes if your prayers make a difference.

But this I know. When we cry out for mercy over our country, it’s a prayer God loves to answer.

How can I be so certain? The very next morning, when His mercies are new, the Holy Spirit brought me this verse:

I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.

-Psalm 116:1

In the same way that a baby’s cry moves an entire household to action, your prayers ARE surely heard on high. You see that your country is hurting. She’s ripping herself apart at the seams. Blood shed cries out in the streets.

We understand that the church is not a building. The church is our beloved family. And so it is with our country. Don’t just think of America as legislature and rules and beautiful land. Friends, I ask you to plead for mercy on behalf of your neighbors, your friends and family, your children, and generations to come. We are America.

Oh, America. Stop holding yourself in contempt! Stop the self-hatred! Receive the mercy God is so eager to pour out on you!

In the prayer room this week, Ms. Jody shared about her friend who is in the demolition business. He said when you are trying to break up concrete, you hit it and you hit it and you hit it. It never looks like anything is happening. But things are happening. It’s internal composition is breaking down. You hit it and you hit it and you hit it. Looks like not a single thing changes. And then there’s that one fatal blow. You hit it and the entire thing crumbles.

Keep praying. Keep fasting. Let’s not quit! I know you’re tired. But there’s going to be one blow and all that mercy is going to come flooding down.

Last image for you. I was praying for my little girl this week. Asking God, “Will you have mercy for my little one?” The Holy Spirit responded in a way that surprised me. It was as if He was like, “Of course I have mercy for her. That’s who I am. I am Merciful, Full of Mercy.” I quickly saw I had been praying the wrong prayer. So I started asking God to cut the cords of everything keeping her from receiving mercy. He showed me a picture of Kerplunk. Remember that game? The marbles are all there ready to come raining down. It just takes turn after turn to pull the one stick that cause all the balls to drop. That’s what we’re after. So keep at it. Just like Elisha telling the king of Israel to hit the ground with the stick. The king quit after only three times and did not receive his total victory. We are after a complete outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We are after total revival.

Keep praying. Keep fasting. Let’s not stop short! I know you’re tired. But there’s going to be one blow and all that mercy is going to come flooding down.

If we can agree on ANYTHING in His name, it will be given to us. So if we have only one prayer for our country and can unite in one accord, let it be for mercy. Will you join me today?

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

Have mercy on us, Oh God!

I’m constantly asking for confirmation that the things I’m writing are on God’s heart. Check out this article that brought me to my knees in tears. Ms. Jody shared it on Sunday. I’ll bet you get God-bumps: “Mercy is our new currency.”

Father, please anoint these words and spread this message. Please, lift up a united cry for mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen!