The Need of the Hour

I have always enjoyed the political scene. Both of my parents held elected positions in the county in which I live; therefore, our family has always been politically active. I have vivid memories of being at the local campaign headquarters late in the evening on election day, watching women write down the returns on a massive wall of paper to the thrilling applause or the moaning of disappointment. That world seems so far away in the modern era of technology.

While I obviously value the political process, I am not naïve to its inconsistencies, fraudulence, and inability to adequately guide a nation in a healthy—and godly—direction. The adage says, “Politics is downstream of religion,” is never truer than it is right now. What happens when a nation forgets her God? According to Pew Research, only 2% of Americans believe the government almost all the time and 22% says they trust them most of the time. The individual polling confidence score for the Biden administration was 20% in August, which is the lowest on record except for Trump in 2019 (17%) and Obama in 2011 (10%). The point is the American people no longer trusts the government that is supposed to serve them.

The question that must be asked is, “In who or what do we place our confidence?” As Christians, we know the right answer is Jesus Christ, but is that the real answer in our day-to-day language and thinking? Some believe a change in D.C. is the key, but D.C.—or Springfield—is only symptomatic of the American heart. The godlessness of our leaders is a reflection of the godlessness of the people. Universities, public schools, many seminaries, and even some churches no longer follow the gospel, and the natural result is chaos across the land and disillusionment among the younger generation.

A more pressing question for us is, “What is the need of the hour for the homeschooling community?” Although some may brag on our many positive statistics, I am personally concerned about the spiritual trajectory of our young people. Many profess to becoming WOKE and buying into socialist ideologies, while others seem to demonstrate little more than a mediocre interest in spiritual things. Don’t get me wrong. By the world’s standards these are still “good” kids, but the temptations that are barreling down the track at them cannot be thwarted with spiritual indifference.

According to Christian pollster, George Barna, less than one-half of one percent of young adults (ages 18-23) have a biblical worldview, and his criteria of “Christian” is generous. It is therefore imperative that homeschooling parents be intentional about training their children for the times ahead. Luke 18:8 cites the Lord’s concern: “… Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” The context of this verse is the need for continued prayer, and this month’s theme is for Christian homes to experience a spiritual revival and restoration.

Join us throughout the month—and some as they fast on the second Tuesday of the month—to pray for the following:

1. Pray that homeschooling households, especially our children, will experience the person of Jesus Christ and become radically saved.

• So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” –John 12:21
• I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. –Isaiah 6:1

2. Pray that our homes will experience a deep conviction of sin in areas where we are compromised.

• And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: –John 16:8
• And there you shall remember your ways and all your deeds with which you have defiled yourselves, and you shall loathe yourselves for all the evils that you have committed. –Ez. 20:43

3. Pray that our young people will see through all the lies that are being paraded before them as truth.

• because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. –Romans 1:25
• O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah –Psalms 4:2
• Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.–Psalms 25:5

4. Pray that Christ will be the main desire for both parents and children.

• In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. –Is. 26:8
• As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. –Ps. 42:1

5. Pray that our churches will come alive with the presence and glory of God.

• You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. –Psalms 16:1
• Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. And the glory of the Lord appeared to them, –Numbers 20:6

6. Pray that parents will experience a burden to genuinely pray and disciple their children.

• Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. –1 Samuel 12:23
• And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? –Luke 18:7

7. Pray that a new level of genuine, Biblical worship will fill our homes.

• Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain; for the Lord our God is holy! –Psalms 99:9
• But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. –John 4:23

8. Pray that the light of the gospel and the joy of Christ will pierce our homes.

• In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. –2 Cor. 4:4
• Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” –Psalms 126:2

9. Pray parents will get access to resources that will allow them to train and prepare their children for the culture they are going to inherit.

• Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. –Psalms 27:1
• He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. –2 Samuel 22:35 (KJV)