Heal Our Hearts, Heal Our Land
by Brian L. Martin

This article appeared in the 2025 Fall issue of Fulfilled! Magazine

pdf version

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. . . if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14)

The following is from Herbert Lockyer’s All the Prayers of the Bible. Lockyer titles this First Prayer of Moses for Israel, which Moses offered up to God when He declared judgment on Israel after the golden calf incident. Lockyer’s commentary points out both the “exhibition of Israel’s depravity” as well as the power of intercessory prayer. Consider using Moses’ example of intercession as a launchpad for your prayers for your country (state, region, city, etc.) and even for individuals who have bowed down to their own golden calf.

First Prayer of Moses for Israel

And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin –; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:31-32, KJV)

In their journey to Canaan, the Israelites encamped by divine direction at the base of Mount Sinai, where God proposed to enter into a sublime covenant with them. But while Moses was on the Mount receiving the Law, Israel below was guilty of an exhibition of depravity which has never been paralleled. In the very sight of the most wonderful manifestations of divine power and glory, the people, miraculously fed, clothed, and led, bowed down to a senseless idol. God’s indignation was aroused. Moses interceded for the people. God’s answer practically meant, “If you intercede for them, My hands are tied, and I cannot execute the deserved vengeance.” What power prayer has! Old John Trapp says, “Able, after a sort, to transfuse a palsy into the hand of Omnipotence.”

Examining the prayer of Moses, we find it made up of a three-fold plea—

1. That God would not reflect upon His own wisdom, by so soon destroying what He had employed so much power to preserve.
2. That He would not give advantage to the Egyptians to glory over the ruin of a race whom they so much hated.
3. That He would remember His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

How efficacious prayer is! Moses prevailed (Psalm 106:23). How wonderful is the forbearance and condescension of God. ♰

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