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Stores, cable networks, streaming channels, and video games marketed to children(!) are among the venues promoting June as “Pride” Month. National Pride Day is celebrated on June 28, marking the date of the first “pride” march, in 1970 in New York City. Our culture devotes an entire month to celebrating sexual preference and behavior.
Find out when your state prays.
As the ads flash across my screen, I can’t help but think of what the word of God says about pride:
When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom (Proverbs 11:2 NKJV).
A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor (Proverbs 29:23 NKJV).
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV).
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate (Proverbs 8:13 NKJV).
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 NKJV).
This world’s narrative is the exact opposite of the stand we as intercessors and prayer warriors take for our nation.
… 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 Chronicles 7:14).
The very first prerequisite to seeing our nation healed is humility.
One definition of humility from Strong’s Concordance is “to bend the knee.” This act is a sign of submission. Therefore, when we humble ourselves, when we bend our knee, before God, we are submitting to His plan for our nation. Consequently, we are also submitting to His timing for the deliverance and healing of our land.
In the face of rapid cultural change, many have become discouraged. Even seasoned intercessors are wondering why God is allowing all the evil we see going on in the world to remain. Some ask, “When will God act?”
This one thing I know: God is faithful. He will have the final say. Justice will come, and it cannot be stopped. Our part is to remain humble before the Lord and continue to pray, trusting that He who began a good work will complete it.
In Jeremiah, we read: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).
The Message Bible says it this way: “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
As much of the world celebrates “pride” — something contrary to the word of God — may we remember to continually humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may lift us up. For He is the only one who can. May we also remember God knows what He is doing. He is not shaken by any of this, and neither should we be. He has a plan, a good plan. He will not abandon His people, instead He will give us the very future we hope for—a land and nation healed and restored.
So what is our prayer for “Pride Month”?
Father God, we come before You on bended knee to humble ourselves in Your Presence. Lord, forgive us for the pride that has covered us as a nation and as Your people. We humble ourselves before You now so that You do not have to humble us before our enemies. We know that pride brings us low, but if we will humble ourselves before You, we will attain honor. Please reveal to us corporately and individually where there are roots of pride. Please forgive us and help us to uproot it now. Let not the foot of pride come upon us. Holy Spirit, reveal where we are walking in pride! Forgive us for when we laugh at or ridicule others rather than pray for them. Forgive us as we have patted ourselves on the back for our choices. We recognize You who works in us to will and to do what pleases You.
Kim Potter is a writer and the founder of A New Thing Ministries, which sends a daily teaching to thousands of people all around the world. Her articles have appeared on The Elijah List, in Charisma Magazine, and on Spirit Fuel and iBelieve.com. Kim’s message is one of hope. She speaks to the hearts of those who have grown discouraged or disappointed by the circumstances of life, to impart hope. Her daily inspirational writings are available at www.anewthingministries.com. Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash.