Greg Laurie Says America's Hope Lies in God's House, Not White House
Correction Appended
Pastor Greg Laurie of California's Harvest Church told a gathering of pastors and church leaders earlier this week that the Unites States has many external threats like terrorism but it also has a greater internal threat from those attacking religious freedom and the family, and that can be dealt with only through a spiritual revival in God's House.
Laurie said he still believes that the United States is the greatest country on earth, "but our country needs help."
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In a special message, "America, This Is Your Wake-up Call!" on National Day of Prayer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, Laurie acknowledged there are many threats to America, including terrorism and nuclear weapons from nations like North Korea and Iran. "But they are enemies on the outside."
But what about enemies from the inside, he asked.
America was founded on Judeo-Christian values. "But what started as freedom of religion is now turning into freedom from religion," the pastor said, explaining that many want "God out of our courtrooms, out of our classrooms, out of our culture."
Then, there's breakdown of the family and absence of leadership by men in it, he said, and added that most social problems America is facing today are rooted in it.
Laurie noted that the U.S. Supreme Court now looks ready to redefine family although God has defined it and "that's the right definition."
A family can survive without a nation, but a nation cannot survive without the family, he said.
"There's only one hope for America today, and I think it's not a political solution … though there's a place for politics." Godly influence is needed in the country's politics, he went on to say, but added that what the United States needs the most is a spiritual awakening. "America needs a revival," he said.
He quoted 2 Chronicles 7:14, which reads, "And 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, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This principle and promise, he said, applies to any nation, including America. "God doesn't point the finger at the White House, he points the finger at His House. It's us, folks," he explained.
"Do we need spiritual revival today?" he asked the pastors and church leaders, suggesting it starts with individuals. "Are we being the godly persons we're meant to be?"
Laurie also mentioned American Pastor Saeed Abedini, who is in a jail in Iran due to his Christian faith. Laurie read out a letter Abedini wrote from his prison cell on the National Day of Prayer saying America needs revival.
The California pastor urged churches to pray for Abedini, quoting Acts 12:5: "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
The megachurch leader said prayers are answered when they are in accordance with God's desire.
He encouraged listeners to offer prayers to God, explaining we can possibly pray for various reasons, including, to impress others. We should pray earnestly and specifically, with agony, putting our hearts into it, he advised.
Pastors and others also need to pray in unity with other believers, without a sense of competition or theological conflict.
Laurie encouraged all pastors to preach the Gospel more, to everyone. "Build an evangelistic culture in your church… Wrap up all your messages with the Gospel," he said. "This is your wake-up call."
Correction: Monday, May 11, 2015:
An earlier version of this story reported that Pastor Greg Laurie spoke at Harvest D.C., when he actually spoke at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
