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What the U.S. and the rest of the Christian world should do is this:
2Chr.7:14:
[14] 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 sin, and will heal their land.

{{Ahem}} C'mon, nmh, you just did what you chided hope for. Look at the context of this passage:

When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.
"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
"Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
"I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."
II Chronicles 7:11-16

Now, I'm not saying prayer isn't meant for everyone at every time, but this promise is made specifically to Solomon (who had just finished building the first Temple in Jerusalem) and to the Jews over whom Solomon presided as king.

It is not made to Christians living in America, since the prayers were meant to be offered (and were promised to be answered) in Solomon's Temple.

It is a promise made to O.T. Jews, not N.T. Christians.

Still love ya'.

Later...

"Now, I'm not saying prayer isn't meant for everyone at every time, but this promise is made specifically to Solomon (who had just finished building the first Temple in Jerusalem) and to the Jews over whom Solomon presided as king."

This is true. It is not specifically directed to us however is there a reason why He would respond differently to us if we did this? Ultimately this is what He desires from all of us, isn't it?

It's late here so if you reply send it to me vie e-mail also. I don't mind correction. I also take the Old Testament seriously when it comes to what pleases God. he is unchanging in nature.

"...Now all these things happened to them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Therefore, let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he falls..." 1Cr 10:11,12

baa

"Now, I'm not saying prayer isn't meant for everyone at every time, but this promise is made specifically to Solomon (who had just finished building the first Temple in Jerusalem) and to the Jews over whom Solomon presided as king."

Good grief! The "promise" may have been made to the Jews, but the idea behind that promise is for all believers!

I'm still trying to figure out why all you folks sing "God bless America". This song is actually ASKING God to bless us. That sort of assumes that he MIGHT NOT bless us.....or haven't you figured that out yet?