The United States of America is a spoiled and selfish country, with a government that has strengthened itself by preying on the weaknesses of its citizens.  Our so called "classless society" has bifurcated into two distinct castes: those that pay outrageous taxes and those that receive outrageous benefits, with government in the middle as referee, keeping the peace, as well as a hefty portion of the proceeds.  And so it seems quite natural to the people that when the president, and from his lead the other politicians, and from their urging the mainstream religious leaders, encourage prayer for the nation both private and public, that this should be be like any other government program.  Going to church, singing the hymns and praying the prayers is no different than going to the interview, filling out the forms, and receiving the check.  And so it is assumed that God too is a socialist, and essentially just another public official, and that going through the government prescribed motions will bring the expected result: victory and national glory at minimal pain and expense.  And today this is what we call a Christian nation.

    While it is easy for Christians to criticize the American public for mocking God at the urging of the government, it is also the height of hypocrisy, for had we our own house in order, none of this would be a concern.  This "going through the motions" approach to Christianity is a natural for America. Is this not how we behave in church, that is those that can still stand to attend? How many have discovered that it is easier in America today to raise Christian children outside of the liberal churches than within them?  We upbraid the sins in our society yet some how fail to see that it is merely our own image in the mirror looking back at us.

    Preachers have for years denounced our society of decadence and sin, complaining that the church was becoming a reflection of the world around it.  But the opposite is true.  Since Constantine, when the followers of Jesus emerged from the Roman catacombs to redefine the world in Christian terms, society has been a reflection of the Church, and now, through centuries of our failure to overcome sin and doubt and bring the kingdom of the Prince of Peace into the hearts of men through the Church, society has become a Frankenstein that breaks the seals of Revelation and sets loose the demons bound at the Euphrates.

    We face an enemy that will face death for a lie, while we choose not to live for the truth.  And so, with the power to heal, to cast out demons, and to raise men from the dead at our disposal,  we have chosen instead to believe the lies the world has told us, and so return to the catacombs to take our place amongst the dead. The wages for our sins is death and payday is at hand; this is why we tremble in fear at men that would quake in the presence of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Our forebears conquered the world for Christ and, like Jack, we have taken the family cow and traded it for a handful of magic beans. Now we tremble as the giant climbs down the beanstalk.

    And so repentance is not a national matter, but a personal one, for each of us has been weighed in the balance and found wanting, and only in turn our nation. And as America sinks into her own degradation, our own repentance becomes a life boat to a shining light upon the shore. And so, if repentant in our tattered faith we so approach the City of our God, then sit in sackcloth and ashes and make lamentations and supplications at the gates, perhaps our Lord will open to us and forgive us:  For Jacob's Trouble is at hand.