We are New Yorkers. Not NYCers, but for almost all of us in the Genesis Conference, we live, work, laugh, love, worship, pay taxes and vote in New York State.
And now we stand looking at this law just recently passed, the “most aggressive” pro-abortion law in the nation. How do we, as New Yorkers, respond?
I know some will want to get politically involved. Others will debate the issues on social media. Do as the Lord leads.
But may I suggest that there are three things that all of us can and should do? Those things are: confess, grieve and pray.
Throughout the Scriptures we see examples of the people of God stepping in to the darkness to weep and to intercede. Abram prayed that God would save Sodom. Moses prayed that God would not destroy His people, even after they worshipped an idol. Solomon, when dedicating the temple, interceded for his people for the sins that he knew they would commit. Nehemiah, when hearing about the desperate condition of Jerusalem, responded with “I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.” Daniel, before praying boldly for God’s restoration and revival, starts by confessing the sins of generations. Jesus, upon entering Jerusalem and knowing how the mobs will crucify Him, weeps for the city. And when nailed to a cross, He prays for those who had put him there, saying “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
I remember hearing Henry Blackaby say that if the world is growing darker, we should not blame the dark, but should realize that we, as light, have not done our job.
And in that place - of recognizing that we have not fully done our job - we confess and grieve. We have not made the case - in both words and living - that life is valued and treasured and precious. We have not made our churches places of such love and joy and health and truth that people come in from the community, expecting the life transformation they see in others. We have not been people of such welcome that a woman in crisis can come in and be loved, no matter what. We have not been communities where there are no “unwanted children” by virtue of the fact that all children become part of our extended church family, taken care of, loved. We have not shown enough light to overcome the darkness.
And so we confess and we grieve.
But we don’t stop there.
Daniel prayed (in Daniel 9):
“We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you... we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth...
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary... Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay...”
We confess, we grieve, we pray.
We pray for ourselves and our churches that we would be light. We intercede for our state and our nation, that we might all recognize our great need, and then be transformed by the power of God. We ask that the consequences of being a society where life is cheap would be held at bay. We stand in the gap for others, even those with whom we heartily disagree. For if we, as the church, will not intercede for the born and the unborn, for our friends and those who curse us, for our state and nation... who will?
Lord, hear our confession. Lord, see our tears. Lord, hear our prayer.
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