The following is an excerpt from our daily devotional series Desperate for Change.

“The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” –Matthew 4:16

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The apostle Matthew reached back into the Old Testament to comment on the coming of Messiah to His people, lost in darkness and death. It is a beautiful picture of light coming to shine in the darkest of places. The arrival of Jesus brought life and light and forever changed the world wherever that light has shone.

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The light of Jesus not only comes to bring transformation to those who have never heard, but also to those in whom the light has grown dim. In so many ways, the United States has been blessed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. From east to west, from north to south, the good news of Jesus has been proclaimed and churches have been established. Yet, generations have come and gone, and in many places the light of Christ has almost gone out. Some churches no longer preach the Bible. In other places, a different culture has arisen in neighborhoods where there is no longer a church effectively reaching out to its community.

We need to see that our America needs the light of Christ once again. It is time to proclaim to those dwelling in darkness that the Light has come! To see true transformation in the nation will require massive church planting and church revitalization. Those dwelling (in America) in the land of the shadow of death must hear the good news that a light has dawned in our land once again.

Prayer Points

• Pray that churches in your community and area will preach the gospel of Christ powerfully.
• Pray for church planting movements in our nation.
• Ask the Lord to bring revival to the church in America.

My Prayer

Father, our nation desperately needs the light of the gospel once again. In so many places, a stagnant church has made the good news seem like stale old news. Forgive us for not handling correctly what has been entrusted to us. Bring new life and light to Your church. Revive Your people once again, Lord. I pray that from that new life, Your light would shine into places of darkness in this nation. I pray for a massive church planting movement within this nation and another Great Awakening of souls coming to You.

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David Butts is the chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee and the president of Harvest Prayer Ministries. Photo Credit: PonyWang/Getty Images Signature via Canva Teams.