When God Says Your Prayers Are Not Enough

Abortion - it is a word that makes us shudder with revulsion. Videos have come out recently, revealing that the atrocities of the abortion industry are even worse than we realized, and our hearts are filled with deep sadness.

Making it a huge temptation to just scroll past. To not get involved and pretend it didn't happen.

We pacify ourselves by praying that God will end this actual horror movie going on behind the scenes in the places we never visit. And we wait for abortion to be voted out.

We forget that abortion isn't a legal issue, but a heart issue.

And I am not talking about the hearts of those that are getting routine abortions - or even the abortionists.

We have a heart issue. We are the idolaters. And our god is called "Ease".

He goes by many other names but the characteristics are always the same - he is the god of selfishness. And he is running rampant in our churches and our lives. In my life.

I couldn't sleep one night so I started praying for God to end abortion in our country. And His answer stopped me in my tracks.

I do not have the right to pray against abortion and expect an answer unless I am willing to throw myself into the battle in some way. And He brought to mind the line of Kings in Judah. 

"Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign..but he did not that which was right in the sight of the Lord, like David his father...He burned incense in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, and burned his children in the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places..." 2 Chronicles 28:1&3-4

Judah would be steeped to the neck in idolatry and child sacrifice. Then a righteous King would come along and tear down the high places of idolatry and sacrifice. He would use action, not just prayers. I am sure he would seek God, but then he followed up on his prayers with deliberate and radical action.

"Hezekiah began to reign when he was 25 years old...and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done...now when all this was finished, all Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah and brake the images in pieces and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places of all Judah...until they had utterly destroyed them." 2 Chronicles 29:1,2 & 31:1

Most likely many of us are not like King Ahaz who even sacrificed his own children, but are we like King Hezekiah, following up on our prayers with action? Or are we more like King Jehoshaphat?

"He walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord. However the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." 2 Chronicles 20:32&33

I am sure the idolatry and evil sacrifice of the people grieved Jehoshaphat but he took no action. He likely prayed about it every day, but he did not follow up with action, teaching the people and leading their hearts towards God.

Now I know that of if you are a Mom it may not be possible for you to volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center or be active out on the streets. But Moms can sign petitions, share articles and encourage and equip other people to be the front edge of the wave against abortion. We can get a babysitter for an afternoon and spend time standing outside an abortion clinic with other protesters.

If we are willing God will show us a way.

Instead of only praying against abortion we should pray "God use me! What do you want me to do?" I have a feeling we might be amazed where He will lead us if we are willing!

Let us prepare our hearts to serve wherever he leads!