Standing in the Gap for Oregon

Image by  272447  from  Pixabay   I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  I Timothy 2: 1-2 What is on your prayer list for Oregon? We are instructed in I Timothy to pray for our leaders. Many are praying for the 2020 election, our economy, and an end to the covid-19 virus - all vital concerns.   One way to organize a prayer list is to pray over the state county by county. If I do the easy thing and just start where I am, I begin with Clackamas county. Actually, this might be a good choice since Clackamas is one of the original four counties established by the Provisional Legislature on July 5, 1843. We are going deep here and touching the foundation of Oregon as a territory and state. At that time Clackamas county was huge and covered...

Image by  Pexels  from  Pixabay   O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.  Daniel 9:19 What does it mean to “stand in the gap?”  The basic meaning is one of “intercession,” or the act of intervening for another. Very quickly, when we begin to unpack the details of interceding for our state or “our people,” we find ourselves face to face with one of the most difficult concepts for all people on the planet: repentance. Repentance means more than sorrow and regret; it means a complete turn around, a change of direction away from our own ways and toward God. However, as difficult, as humbling, as repentance is, there is no escaping it. II Chronicles 7:14 says if we turn from our  wicked ways , He will  forgive our sins , and then – only then – will He heal our land. The truth is, genuine repentance is a bitter pill. We try ...