For those of you who attended our Sunday worship service at St. Raphael's by the Sea, you already know that I have asked the friends and family of our parish to fast and pray for the upcoming national election. This is in keeping with a pastoral movement in the Body of Christ to lift up our nation in prayer. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that our country is in trouble and is not better off than she was four years ago. All you have to do is go to the grocery store or the gas station. Yet, the poor economy and high unemployment numbers are symptoms of America's choices that go against God.

As Christians, we have kept silent as America has lost her moral and spiritual compass by choosing death over life and immoral lifestyles that ignore God's commandments. As the keepers of the spiritual light for this nation we have failed in letting our lights shine for Christ. For this we need to repent now before America completely throws away the spiritual inheritance given to her by God Almighty. To do otherwise will mean not only the loss of our religious freedom, but all the other freedoms that distinguish us as Americans. As your pastor, I am forbidden by law to tell you which candidates to choose, but I can council you to choose the candidates that best represent the Biblical principles upon which this nation was founded.

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, there is a promise from God to heal our land, but this promise is conditional. The promise is,
 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land." (KJV)

Please join me and other members of the Body of Christ, beginning this Thursday, September 27^th, for forty days of fasting and prayers as we seek God's will for our beloved nation.  

Blessings,

Alice Marcrum+

The Rev. Alice Marcrum, Rector

St. Raphael's by the Sea Anglican Church

Fort Myers Beach, FL

www.saintraphaelsbythesea.org