“Everywhere I go, I hear the same question, ‘What can I do about the condition of our country?’” says Max Lucado, best-selling author and a minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas.

He cites our “declining moral standards (noting that the three top-selling books in America are comprised of pornography).  Economic turmoil.  Seemingly endless bickering and posturing of our leaders. More than ever before, citizens are concerned about the future of our nation.

The author /minister also cites Americans’ “inability to agree with God’s definition of marriage” and “the value of the preborn.”  But, Lucado says he isn’t feeling anxious.  “We (Christians) take into an election cycle a different view than the rest of the world and that is a view of faith,” he told The Christian Post in recently published article.

Lucado answers the question “What can I do?” with this statement: “During times of national concern, our first and foremost task is prayer.”  He invites you and me to join in 40 days of prayer for the USA beginning Sept. 28 and ending on Election Day, Nov. 6.

The Apostle Paul tells Christ’s followers, “The first thing I want you to do is pray.  Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live” (1Timothy 2:1-3 from The Message).

Lucado has written a prayer that includes three specific things to request for God to do.  “Dear Heavenly Father, You have given us this promise:…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) So, we pray to you. We turn from evil and look to you, our God. Please:

“• Unite us;

“• Strengthen us; and,

“• Appoint and anoint our next president.

“In the name of Christ we pray, Amen.”

As a concerned citizen who believes in God’s power to heal our nation, Lucado believes we must pray. He reminds us that God answers prayer and that God is in control.  Now is not the time to panic, it’s time to pray. This presidential election is a pivotal time for our nation.

Lucado said, “Let us be people who vote…but let us never think that God will be baffled by a Nov. 6 outcome. God is not troubled by one who is conservative or liberal and He certainly never inclines His ear toward a donkey or an elephant…We place our trust in the work of God.  He is above them all.”