By David Kubal

[Article originally published in the July 1 online issue of Intercessors for America newsletter. Reprinted with permission.]
 
In recent weeks, I have had the pleasure to be with leaders of national ministries from across America. I can tell you there is an awareness of and a deep concern for our nation's moral decline and the need for prayer.
 
This year alone, we have witnessed a governor attempt to sell a U.S. Senate seat; AIG spend $440,000 of taxpayers' money on a week-long retreat at a luxury resort, including nearly $200,000 for rooms, $150,000 for meals and $23,000 in spa charges; $209 million in bonuses paid out by Merrill Lynch as they clamored for a federal bailout; and, to top it off, the Madoff Ponzi scheme that bilked 4,800 investors out of an estimated $50 billion.
 
The Jewish scholar, Rabbi Aaron Levine sums it up well in his recent article "The Recession of 2008: The Moral Factor-A Jewish Law Analysis," with this statement: "The current downturn is the first post-World War II recession that has its roots in widespread moral failure."
 
In reflecting on the Book of Daniel, verse 9:14 should ring in our ears: "The Lord did not hesitate to bring disaster upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does, yet we have not obeyed Him." These are words spoken by Daniel even as he walked faithfully with the Lord to the point of being unjustly thrown into the lion's den. Yet, he identified with national sin and took on responsibility for his entire Jewish nation. Daniel serves as a great example for us. Followers of Christ, and the Church as a whole, must view and accept the current state of our nation as their responsibility. Often believers don't accept responsibility because they feel they are not significant enough to make a difference. It is that very attitude that has lulled the Church in America into slumber. 
 
There is another challenge for us to heed from Daniel 8:15: "I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it." God's response to Daniel was, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision." This serves as a great encouragement; to know that when we ask, God will show Himself to us. As we assume responsibility and intercede, let us remember to ask and seek the Lord for wisdom and discernment and for proactive strategies to help turn the tide. This is one of the most exciting aspects of intercession: God is willing to let us in on supernatural matters! Even in these troubling days we can know the mind of Christ. (1 Cor 2:16)
 
Another important principle is found in Daniel 9:3: "I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition, in fasting and in sackcloth and ashes." Daniel was a high-level official and very important person in Cyrus' kingdom. He was accustomed to luxury and the finest of food and clothing. Yet, for the sake of his nation and people, he was willing to humble himself, to "afflict his soul," repent, and mourn over the evils, idolatry, and falsities that plagued the Jewish nation; even to the point of discomfort-inside and out-for the sake of a heightened ability to plead before God.
 
We are at a place of unprecedented moral failure. As intercessors, I want to encourage us to follow Daniel's example as we pray for our nation, for all in authority, for the Church, and to ask God to raise up multitudes, even millions of intercessors to stand in the gap with us. Will you join me?
 
Our nationwide demonstration of repentance on the Call2Fall Sunday, July 5, and our continuation in humble and concerted prayer and fasting throughout the summer will release mercy. Together, we are helping to preserve and turn our great nation back to God.