It is possible for Christ's church to be so properly aligned with heaven that the Holy Spirit actually displaces the powers of darkness over our cities. To the degree that the church is so joined to God, the Lord's presence guards the city; crime and immorality proportionately decline; revival breaks out. But be forewarned: Only if the Lord builds the house will He then guard our cities (Psalm 127:1).
Knowing we cannot win the citywide war as isolated, individual churches, Jesus longs to bring us together for prayer. He said, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!" (Luke 13:34)
Time and again He has called us to humble ourselves and in united, heartfelt prayer allow Him to heal our land. The lack of blessing in our cities is not God's fault, nor is it only because of the sins of the world. A number of our national problems are because the church has been caught up in it's own agendas and programs. We have disdained Christ's call to obedience and prayer.
Maybe we are waiting for God to do something to unite us. Perhaps we are waiting for revival before we truly obey Him. We must see that revival follows obedience, not obedience after revival.
