If Only...

 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Were you touched when you saw people along with law enforcement on their knees praying? I know I was. In order to have peace we need to call on God's name and pray. In the praying, we will turn from our wicked ways and humble ourselves.

I recently read an interesting story in "Start with Amen" by Beth Gukenberger. She was living in Mexico where 1782 people had been killed during the drug war. People were afraid to go out at night. A couple months ago, we were afraid to go out at night. One night a lot of vandalism occurred.  Even a trip to go to Bible study seemed frightening.

Salatali, a pastor friend of Beth's, had a dream. He was on a patio surrounded by police officers on their knees praying. So he can began praying for the local police officers. One Sunday a group of men showed up at his church, one of those men was the new director of the Guadalupe police. The other police chief had been murdered the month before. Eventually Salatali began asking if he could visit the headquarters.

The chief finally invited the pastor to share for ten minutes on a Saturday at 6:30 AM. When he arrived he walked through the patio that had been in his dream. He shared every Saturday for the next three months when God spoke to him and told him to start worship. He questioned God, but he brought along a guitar playing worship leader who would then sing in front for a couple of minutes. 

The chief was encouraged and asked Salatali to come every day and teach a class on leadership. God gave the police force victory in the war against the drug cartels. For 28 days not one officer's life was lost!

When a group of people come together for a common goal and they leave room for the Holy Spirit to move, the results are miraculous. Salatali was able to get help from other faith leaders in the community, they spoke the truth to love the police force in their community. The crime rate dropped in Guadalupe, the arrest rates rose, pastors served police families, and people were able to once again go out at night.  

The mayor wanted to give Salatali recognition by giving him the key to the city. Salatali said, "Sir, if you are looking for who deserves the credit for what's happening in our city, it's Jesus. If anyone deserves those keys, it's him." On December 8, 2012, the mayor of Guadalupe did indeed give the key of the city to Jesus.

Can you imagine what are cities would be like if we were to fall on our knees and pray? What if our cities were turned over to Jesus? Then after hearing from God we were obedient to do what He asks of us. Maybe some of us would be called to go to the police station, hospitals, fire stations, or wherever to simply share a message of hope for ten minutes. Changes would happen, simply by praying and sharing God's hope.