It is 2:21 a.m, two days before the space shuttle tragedy and about a week before the government elevated the "terror level" to "high." Although I am on vacation with family members, a holy fear is upon me; I am divinely troubled as I pray for America.

The Lord routinely wakens me to intercede, but this night I woke to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking directly to my heart. What I present is as a witness of the Holy Spirit. Remember, God's word says, "Let every word be confirmed by two or three witnesses." I'm presenting one witness. Let the Lord confirm this in His own way and time. I'm not proclaiming, "Thus saith the Lord"; I am saying, "Here's what I believe the Lord said to me. You pray about it."

The words I felt were spoken to my spirit were these: "I will strike America; I will strike and bring chastening." The Lord did not reveal a specific date nor did He identify a unique event to watch for. I had no other perspective but that something was going to happen that would grab the heart and focus of the nation; it would shake the U.S., but bring a cleansing to the national soul.

America: A Nation of Extremes

America is a paradox, a world of unparalleled moral extremes. We possess wonderful virtues yet we are contaminated with abominable vices. It is an amazing fact that, worldwide, 60% of all charitable giving to suffering people comes from the USA. In the history of man, there has never been a more generous or caring nation. Additionally, we are the closest friends Israel has ever had in its history; no other nation even comes close. Indeed, behind much of our concerns for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, is our desire to protect Israel. Love of Israel and care for the poor are just two of many godly virtues that grace American culture.

Yet, America is also the world's greatest supplier of pornography and immoral films a major reason the radical Muslim world calls us the "Great Satan." A large percentage of our "entertainment" is violent and even demonic in nature. Our legacy about abortion, racism and greed is a shame upon our land.

Americans are both religious and rebellious. It is not unusual for professional football players from opposing teams to publicly gather in circles for prayer after a game, thanking Jesus Christ and blessing the people who watched the game. Yet it is also not unusual for satanists, in league with the powers of darkness, to gather in circles at night to release curses and other evils.

On the one hand, we stand by almost helpless as the wizardry of Harry Potter, yoga and Eastern religions are welcomed into American consciousness; and we do not have to look far to find New Age philosophy mainstreamed into our society. Yet, who is not amazed at the phenomenal success enjoyed the Left Behind series and the Prayer of Jabez? These are Christian books which dominated best selling secular booklists for months on end.

We would have thought that, since September 11, our nation would have been more subdued, more reverent toward God and life. Yet, in many ways, our sins have become more glaring. It is as though the ruling powers of darkness patiently waited while cities gathered in prayer and repentance, and even Hollywood vowed to clean up its act. Republicans and Democrats sang together and huddled in reconciliation meetings at the Capitol; blacks, whites, Asians and Hispanics cried and prayed. In unity, the nation turned its face and hands toward God.

But the season of grief passed. The powers of darkness had not left, but were only waiting. Rising in our culture was an even greater defiance toward the Almighty. Our entertainment fare has become more dark and crude; the unclean spirit in our land, more brazen. Our moral standards are eroding as fast as ever.

Divine Protection

I asked the Lord, "Will America be struck with earthquakes? Storms?" But there was only silence. Instead of an answer, I became aware of the major hurricanes and earthquakes that have hit the U.S. over the past 30 years. I was absolutely amazed at how God's protection has covered our land: how greatly minimized was the loss of life! I thought of the massive earthquakes that have struck Kobe, Japan and Turkey, and the storms that killed vast multitudes in Central America and Asia. Yet we have suffered very little loss of life. Though we have deserved God's wrath, clearly His mercy has always restrained the worst from happening. We have grown comfortable with divine protection. Yet, I wondered, would this striking be a temporary, yet major vulnerability to natural disaster?

I asked, "Lord, will we suffer another major terrorist attack?"

I recalled September 11. We lost 3000 people, but we easily could have seen 100,000 people or more die in New York alone. Again, the staying, protecting hand of God was there. We know there are terrorists in our land. Do they have a nuclear bomb? Are they equipped with chemical or biological weapons? Will the Lord allow the enemy greater access? Will our national pride be broken in some major attack?

In my spirit I felt that the Lord was saying this coming wound had the potential to be massive. It's effect would penetrate the soul of the entire nation. While it may originate in something meant for evil, I felt the Lord's promise was that He would turn it toward good. The result of this measured devastation is that multitudes would rise up and reject the unclean spirit that has manipulated our population; they would truly return to the Lord. Even the entertainment industry would begin to reject the controlling powers of perversion and hell.

The Lord's Promise "I will strike . . . with chastening."

To chasten is to make chaste or to purify. God loves America. On what level will devastation come? Will it be in loss of life? Economic ruin? Geophysical shaking? Is there a possibility that we can, even now, humble ourselves before the Almighty and this wounding be averted? Can we pray that godly senators and congressmen will reverse partial birth abortion? That the nation will indeed care for its poor and that we, as a nation, will return to the Lord?

"Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, Thou hast increased the nation, Thou art glorified; Thou hast extended all the borders of the land. O LORD, they sought Thee in distress; they could only whisper a prayer, Thy chastening was upon them . . . come, my people, enter into your rooms, and close your doors behind you; hide for a little while, until indignation runs its course. . . (Isaiah 26:15-16;20).

I do not think we should live in fear. However, if you are living a compromised life; if you are not in prayer, living distant from the Lord, it is time to draw near to Him. I fully believe that, whatever happens, our nation will be genuinely closer to the Lord as a result. "Stripes that wound scour away evil, and strokes reach the innermost parts" (Prov 20:30). He will shake all things that can be shaken. Whatever is coming, I am fully convinced that America will seek the Lord in its time of distress. God's chastening will be effective.

Next week we will present the prophetic view of the United States, taken from the Scriptures. Many do not believe the Bible mentions the USA at the end of the age, and thus feel at some point this nation must be destroyed or marginalized by something terrible. However, I see something in God's word that I believe speaks of America at the consummation of the age. It is not a gloomy perspective, but a wonderful look at this nation's unique role in the plan of God.

In the meantime, let us increase our prayers and repentance before the Lord. Let us keep our focus also upon praying for a great harvest to come from the Islamic world. Additionally, let us beware that there is a spirit of strife at loose in the world today (more on this next week as well).

Beloved, no matter what unfolds in the days ahead, it will be filtered through the merciful power of God and be worked for good. Therefore, let us speak to each other the words of Hosea the prophet.

"Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day That we may live before Him. So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth" (Hos 6:1-3).