The following is an excerpt from our devotional series Praying for Government.

If our land is not healed, there is only one reason. We have not done the things that God requires. I believe that is the truth. It is simply another way of saying what Jesus said in Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out, and trampled underfoot by men.” If our land is not healed by our presence, then our salt has lost its flavor.

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What does salt do? First of all, it gives flavor. As long as we are present in the earth we give flavor to the earth in the sight of God. In other words, God accepts the world because of the Christians. While He allows suffering among His people and even martyrdom in His Church around the world, God primarily deals with the world in grace and mercy, rather than wrath and judgment, because of the Church’s presence.

I believe emphatically that it makes a difference where I go. I discovered this during World War II. Other soldiers were safer where I was. Unsaved soldiers knew this. When we were in tight corners in the North African desert, some of those blaspheming soldiers would turn to me and say, “Corporal Prince, I am glad you are with us.” What did Elisha say to Elijah? “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” (2 Kings 2:12). Where were they? Not around the kings but around the prophets.

Christian believers are the people who are the defense of the country. We are the bulwark of any nation. Consider the example of Sodom. Abraham said to God, “If there are ten righteous men, will you spare the city?” And God said, “Yes.” But He could not spare the city because He could not find ten righteous men. I do not know how many men there were in Sodom, but I know that the same proportion still applies. Ten righteous men can save a city the size of Sodom. One hundred righteous men can save a city ten times the size of Sodom. One thousand righteous men can save a city one hundred times the size of Sodom. And so on in proportion. I feel sorry for this earth when the Church leaves. There will be no more salt. Then wrath and judgment will be poured out without any limitation or restriction. But while we are here, we are the salt of the earth.

Salt also preserves. It holds back corruption. In the days before refrigeration, meat was preserved with salt. It kept back corruption. What are we here for? To keep back corruption. Corruption in all its forms—moral, social, political. As long as we are here, we do this. Jesus said, “If the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” When the church ceases to fulfill its function as salt, it will be thrown out and trampled underfoot of men. These men may be communists or Nazis or followers of some other “ism” that has not yet come forth on the horizon. But it will be men who will trample underfoot the Church that is not fulfilling its role in the world as salt.

(Editor’s note: As we may easily learn from his prolific writings and numerous teaching messages, Derek Prince is not here or elsewhere suggesting the world system has – or ever will have – the ability to destroy the Church. Rather, the phrase “trample underfoot” is a reference to reducing and impeding the Church’s effective witness and authority. This sad situation inevitably occurred many times in Church history – as it is rampant in America today – when individual leaders and denominations in the wider professing Church water down or deny the power and authority of the Bible as God’s written, inspired Word. The Lord Jesus Christ continues to build His Church, as He said He would, and God’s Word will abide forever.)

For Personal Prayer:

• Those familiar with the long teaching ministry of Derek Prince know that he always sought to challenge his audience but never to condemn. Therefore, the Christian believer’s response to this exhortation should be one of serious and healthy self-examination for spiritual growth as opposed to morbid introspection that hinders our progress.
• With that in mind, how do you rate your own degree of “saltiness” in your daily walk with God and people? The Bible exhorts us in a helpful way: Let your speech (or “conversation” – i.e., regular manner of life) be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6). While we continue to pray for national revival, we can, with God’s help, speak with grace and thus “season” our own world. The tongue is a powerful force (James 3:6). Will we let God have control?
• Ask the Holy Spirit for specific guidance on how to apply these exhortations regarding “salt.” Each of us should ask himself/herself, “In my daily interaction with my spouse and children, am I an influence that preserves and encourages a peaceful atmosphere? Do I bring a better ‘flavor’ or ‘aroma’ to the home? Do people around me sense that I’m an influence for good? For positive change?” Ask God, by His Spirit, to show you truth.
• Will we be specific here? God says do everything without complaining or arguing. Do we? What about sarcasm, ingratitude, impatience, gossip, harsh words to our children, lashing out in anger toward family? What a difference each of us could make if we let the Holy Spirit have control of our thoughts, our speech, and our actions! Pray these verses: Philippians 2: 14-16; Colossians 3:12-17; and 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-24.

Derek Prince (1915-2003) was an internationally known Bible teacher and a “founding father” of IFA. Born in India of British parents, he became an American citizen primarily due to his unwavering belief that our biblical heritage made America the strongest hope to ignite a revival for the restoration of godly government and a restoration of biblical standards before the return of Jesus Christ, Lord of the Church. His best known book among intercessors (Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting) portrayed his belief in prayer and fasting to receive God’s highest blessings, both for individuals and for our nation. Praying for the Government was originally published in New Wine magazine in the 1970s. It is available from IFA as a booklet, and is the basis for these devotionals. In general, we present the author’s own words; however, some editorial adjustments are made for space and clarity.     

Download the complete devotional in PDF Format Click Here.

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