Heart for Sacramento, part 2

(For part one, click here.)

Later that night, I listened to a message where the speaker was talking about "the sacraments." One thing that we in the Protestant church do not have is the language of "the sacraments." We think that it means something holy or special or Godly, but it really is somewhat of a vague concept for us. This speaker was sharing that one thing that "sacrament" means is "making visible something that is invisible." Thus the sacrament of communion is meant to make visible the invisible nature of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The sacrament of marriage is meant to make visible the invisible nature of Christ's love for his church.

The way that the speaker said the word "sacrament" immediately caused me to connect with my hometown, Sacramento. My town is making visible something is invisible. The question is what? I don't know the answer, but I want to know. Because if we can focus our prayers in the Rock House of Prayer -- if we can focus our prayers and change Sacramento, the capital of California -- we can change the nation. Like the saying goes, "As California goes, so goes the nation."

Reflecting on this causes pain in my heart. How do I pray for the lawmakers who work only 25 miles from my house? Do I pray for them at all? Do I pray effective prayers? Do I pray that my prayers would be made effective? Not really -- barely -- no. It didn't even occur to me.

Why? Why do I not truly care for these people? Why do I wish in the deep, dark recesses of my heart that California would fall into the ocean, knowing that it would probably take me with it? Why do I think that the nation would really be better off without California?

As I spent the week out from under the familiar feeling of demonic oppression that hangs so thick over my home state, I finally admitted something to myself. I realized that I actually think that Sacramento and the misguided lawmakers are too far gone. I actually believe the lie that my (few and meager) prayers for them are wasted words. I truly believe that my time is better spent praying for my friends' needs, praying for the physical injuries that come across the church prayer emails, or sending emails to my representatives. I'd rather let them know how I feel rather than praying that God would intervene in their lives in an unmistakable and life-changing way.

In other words, when it comes to politics, I would rather vote than pray.

But I am supposed to behave as the persistent widow, banging on the doors of heaven, pleading with God for justice. And he desires to give justice. But do I want justice to come? I didn't say judgment. I said justice. I have discovered that I don't want justice. I want judgment. Like Jonah, I want fire to fall from heaven and wipe certain cities from the map. But He would rather give mercy than judgment. Why do I wonder why God doesn't send his judgment swiftly and speedily? Because he is slow to anger but quick to love (Psalm 103:8; 145:8). Me? Not so much. I am slow to love but quick to anger. I want God to be made in my image. Instead, He is changing me into His likeness.

It is easy to say "Jesus come back!" when what I really mean is "Jesus come smite them!" It is another thing to pray "Lord, change the heart of my enemy. Have mercy on those who would seek to destroy me. They don't know what they are doing." Sound familiar? It's what Jesus did on the cross. It's what he told us to do in the Sermon on the Mount. "Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you" (Luke 6:28, NLT). That means even in your heart. You cannot bless them with your mouth while hating them in your heart (Matthew 5:21, 22).

Lord, forgive me and change my heart. Show me the desire of your heart for Sacramento. Fill me with Your divine love for the people that govern. Make my prayers effective for them. Bless them. Do not judge them, but forgive them, just as you have forgiven me. Guide their hands as they make laws. Cause them to make righteous laws. Visit them in unmistakable ways. Reveal yourself and your love to them.

What is your prayer?