April 30th, 1789, approaching 13 years after the Declaration of Independence and nearly two years following the Constitution signing, the fledgling United States of America inaugurated its first president, General George Washington.
During Washington’s Inaugural Address he noted that in his first official act it would be improper to omit his “fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe.” However, he cautioned the newborn nation not to expect heaven’s smiles if they chose to disregard the “eternal rules of order.”
After America’s First Inauguration, Americas’ First President, the members of the House and Senate journeyed on foot to Saint Paul’s Chapel. We don’t know exactly what they said in the chapel that day, but we do know the act of the first President and the first Congress were to pray. A plaque hangs above Washington’s pew in the chapel with the words inscribed, “Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that you will keep the United States in Holy protection.”
How does Washington’s prayer correspond with WANE?
The deep-seated, deep-rooted divisions in the U.S. have manifested in recent years with angry mobs destroying public and private property demanding justice while committing injustice. In recent weeks thousands around the world have called for Israel’s decimation and removal. Groups upon groups focused on Israel as an enemy. Scripture teaches us that a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). The truth remains that we are not enemies.
There is an answer for the unprecedented divisions we currently face. WANE is where the healing process starts. It begins with humble-hearted prayer. Just as our first President humbled himself and prayed, so must we.
Second Chronicles 7:14 doesn’t say if everyone would pray or if government leaders would pray, it says, “If My people which are called by My name would humble themselves…” The designation is to a selected group. The Lord is calling out to His people. The emphasis is on two things: belonging to God and humble-hearted prayer. The passage clearly depicts the responsibility belongs to God’s people.
Humbling oneself is akin to humility–freedom from pride and arrogance–a modest or low view of one’s own importance. It’s relinquishing self-focus and returning to Savior-focus.
The word wane means to “decrease in vigor, power or extent, to become weaker.” In many regards, we have “waned,” grown weaker, less invigorated and powerful in prayer, thus, the current conditions in society. It’s time for self-centered, self-righteousness to wane as we humble our hearts, elevate our prayer life, and see others, not as enemies but those needing God’s forgiveness.
WANE is a grassroots effort to mobilize Christ-followers to humble themselves, to engage in prayer like Jesus, praying Father, forgive them, aimed toward those we’ve viewed as enemies. Would you join the movement by committing to humble yourself and pray? Go to www.wearenotenemies.com to sign up.
Robyn Spradlin is a freelance journalist working as a contributor for Christian News Journal covering news and politics on the national and state levels. She has worked as a copywriter for Victory News on the Victory Channel since 2022. Robyn has an BA in Communication Studies and MA in Journalism from Regent University and is a member of the Evangelical Press Association. She is an author, evangelistic minister and a musician.