Lenten Devotional for Saturday, February 16

Dr. Jim Denison's 2013 collection of Lenten devotionals is entitled, "If My People..." and comes at a time that he believes "a Fifth Great Awakening is sweeping the nations, as more people are coming to Christ than ever before in Christian history. How can you join this great movement of God's Spirit?" He goes on to write, "in this year's Lenten devotional guide, we will walk each day with King Solomon as he leads his nation into God's presence and glory. We will commit ourselves to our Father's purpose and experience his transforming power. And we will claim his 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). 'If My People ...' is more than a Lenten guide - it is God's invitation to intimacy with him. Please join us on this joyous journey."

CLICK HERE for a free copy of Dr. Denison's 2013 Lenten Devotional (in a downloadable/printable Adobe .pdf file)

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Saturday, February 16Would you commit to daily prayer for awakening?
Benjamin Franklin was a great pragmatist. When his father was returning thanks over their family dinner, which was comprised of food stored in their smokehouse for the winter, Franklin suggested that they pray once over the storehouse and be done for the season.

Solomon would have disagreed. As he continued his service of dedication for the new temple, he prayed, "Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive" (2 Chronicles 6:21). Today the Jewish people continue this tradition at Jerusalem's Western Wall, where someone is praying 24 hours a day every day of the year.

Why is continued prayer important to God? He knows what we need before we ask him (Matthew 6:8), and yet he calls us to "pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Prayer does not inform God or change his character. Rather, it positions us to receive all that his grace intends to give. And it connects us with the Holy Spirit as he molds us into the character of Christ (Romans 8:29).

On this fourth day of Lent, would you make a commitment to pray every day for spiritual awakening in our nation?

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Prior to founding the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture, James C. Denison, Ph.D., was pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church, a 10,000-member congregation in Dallas, Texas. He also pastored churches in Midland and Mansfield, Texas, and in Atlanta, Georgia. He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion and Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dallas Baptist University. He is also the the author of seven books.