The Number One Need in America

The #1 need in America is still the #1 need in America: the next great spiritual awakening.Some would say the emergence and election of our President has brought about a political awakening in America. Regardless of one’s opinion of the President, it would be hard to ignore that his election is nothing short of a wake-up call in American politics.However, in this volatile environment in America, it is certain that some would choose to disagree with this. In the present generation, we have never witnessed anything like what happened and is occurring before the entire world.What America and the World Need to SeeBy no means do I believe this political awakening will lead to spiritual awakening. Yet, without a doubt, the American church specifically prayed more for this past election than I can ever recall. Everywhere I went all over this nation, Christians were praying.This is encouraging. It shows the church believes in the power of prayer and in God’s involvement in human affairs.This is why I am deeply convicted that what America and the world need to see more than anything is the next great spiritual awakening. Without the supernatural intervention of God Himself demonstrating His great mercy and grace upon us in spite of the conduct of our nation, this spiritual awakening will not occur.The Obvious Is More Than ObviousThe obvious is more than obvious to everyone: America is divided and living on the ragged edge of despair and danger. Personally, this grieves me greatly.Accusations and sarcasm have contributed to our divided nation. Fake news is often vacant of any grain of truth, believed by whichever group is accommodated in their persuasion. This is sad … very sad.Operating in this post-truth culture, pundits and spinmeisters are awarded the prime time on networks, exaggerating their persuasions. While this is occurring, the streets of some of our cities are filled with protests, riots, violence, and hateful vitriol.In this unstable climate, the world continues to watch while hundreds are killed by ISIS, thousands are persecuted for their faith, and we all witness the greatest global humanitarian crisis of our lifetime. While all of this happens, the national security of our nation is at stake.Regrettably, while America needs it elected officials to lead as one, many in our nation’s capital are playing political games over the future of our nation.America, it is inescapable, even for our great nation, to ignore the words of Jesus Christ as written in Matthew 12:25:

Knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

I feel it is more than obvious that America is very divided and living on the ragged edge. We have never needed divine intervention like a spiritual awakening more than now.Where Is the Church?Where is the American Church? The Church can and should do what no one else can: Stand together as one and pray for God’s leadership for ourselves as His people and for the future of our nation collectively.The tone of the Church in this day is not very different than the tone of the world. It is amazing that the church is divided over the same things the world is divided over.We need to push pause, get before God, listen to what God is saying to us in His Word, grab hold of our personal emotions and desires, and lead. We need to lead as one in this needed hour, becoming a voice for what God says and desires rather than just another sarcastic, critical voice that may get us the retweets of a carnal church or the world itself.I plead with us: It is time to come together in the Church. We can come together believing the Bible is God’s authority for life, Jesus is the only Savior of the world, and the greatest need we have in America is spiritual. Let’s cease letting anyone or any source divide us.The greatest need in the Church is a mighty spiritual revival, a moment when the manifestation of the presence of God is realized.Yes, the #1 need in America today is still the #1 need: the next great spiritual awakening. We just cannot pray alone, but practice actions and attitudes that serve as a crying invitation for God to come upon America anew and again.Now is the time to lead,Ronnie W. FloydSenior Pastor, Cross ChurchDr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, immediate past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry.Originally published at www.RonnieFloyd.com. Used by permission.