We are now just over 40 days from the election, right in the middle of the most holy days in the Jewish calendar (the 10 “Days of Awe”) and on the brink of a move of God such as we have never known in our lifetime.  As tensions mount and circumstances change and evolve (including the most recent death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg), I can only see two directions this nation can go.  Status-quo, passivity as a norm, apathy, and ignorance – those qualities have no place in our present day and culture.  In fact, I believe we are either pressing in towards HIM as the HEAD or we are aligning with a movement that seeks to set up the government as the HEAD.  I believe in many ways it is a spiritual battle for the moral compass of our nation.

In the Jewish calendar, the holy days between Rosh Hashanah (9/18) and Yom Kippur (9/27-9/28) are days set apart to reflect on one’s life, pray, and repent.  Rosh Hashanah (The Feast of Trumpets) marks the beginning of a new year – 5781. It marks a time to pause, get things right with God, and focus on His kingship.  Many Jews will take part in a Tashlich ceremony, where bread is symbolically thrown into a moving body water to signify the “casting off” of sins.

He shall again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our wickedness [destroying sin’s power]. Yes, You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.  (Micah 7:19 AMP) 

How powerful that our Messiah fulfills this prophesy!  This prophetic picture carries further when we consider that one of the readings on the 2^nd day of Rosh Hashanah is from Genesis 22 – where the Lord provides a substitutionary sacrifice for Abraham to offer up in place of Isaac.

While we were still yet sinners (Rom 5:8) the Lord extended His mercy, offering up His Son as a substitute on our behalf (Gal 1:4) and removed our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:10:14) when we confessed and turned our lives over to Him (1 Jn 1:9).  He offers that up to ANYONE who believes (John 1:12)!  And to top that off, He steps in as our high priest (Heb 4:14-16) and sends us His advocate (Jn 14:26).

The Rosh Hashanah service ends with the blowing of the shofar – a signal/reminder to “wake-up”!  In the days of the Old Testament, the blowing of the shofar signaled imminent danger and sounded the alarm.

This is a time of calling people to turn away from sin and turn toward God.  While we might be in a crucible of political tensions, we are also, more than ever, at a crossroads between the Kingdom and this world.  No one knows the number of their days.

I think of the Elijah and the dry bones.  Today there is an army that needs to be reawakened.  Let’s speak to the dead bones, to those who have veered off course, to those who have forgotten their first love, to those who are lukewarm.  Let’s be a voice for the Kingdom, a light for His Glory and a witness proclaiming the truth and hope of the only one who can save!

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.  (Ez 37:9-10).

These Days of Awe end with Yom Kippur, which is also known as the Day of Atonement.  This is considered the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.  Typically, it is marked by 24-26 hours of prayer and fasting, with a focus on making amends and seeking forgiveness of one’s sins.  It culminates with the necessary blood sacrifice (Today this is not considered necessary in many congregations. Instead, atonement is focused on good works).

…for it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you; you will be clean from all your sins before the Lord.   (Lev 16:30 AMP)

As stated in Leviticus, “it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Lev 17:11).

Yom Kippur was the only fast mandated by Scripture. Those who failed to commit to it were considered “cut off from his people” (Lev 23:30).  It was also the only day the high priest was allowed access into the Holy of Holies, behind the curtain, and into the presence of God’s glory. This was the time when the annual sacrifices were made for atonement on behalf of the Jewish people, atonement that would cover the preceding year.

In present day synagogues, not only do the services draw record attendance, but also the synagogue (and people) often are clothed in white to signify purity and cleansing.  This is another powerful prophetic picture of what happens when we are “cleansed” by the blood of Jesus and made white as snow (Ps 51:7).

This weekend highlights a prayer event called  “The Return”.  “The Return is a movement, an appointed time, and a specific day set apart for one purpose – the return to God by coming before His presence in humility, in sincerity in prayer, and repentance.”

When I first read about this event, I was overwhelmed at the detailing of all the dates and times converging for such a time as this.  As believers in Christ, I believe these feasts are powerful and point to Jesus.  Today, I am heightened in my urgency to pause and consider the prophetic nature of these feasts and how they highlight our need as a Body.

Whether you attend this particular event or not, I believe we, the Church, the ekklesia, His Bride, must step in and intercede; we must repent on behalf of our nation.  We cannot divide our political mindset from our prayer life.  Even if you don’t pray regularly, I urge you to step in and join one of the many groups (or ask a friend) that are praying and fasting in these remaining days before the election.

“Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods at all.) But my people have exchanged their glorious God for worthless idols… My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jer 2:11, 13 NIV)

Let’s pray for our Jewish brothers and sisters, especially during this sacred time.  Pray that our Messiah would reveal Himself to them.  Pray for the multitudes to be ushered into the Kingdom as their eyes are opened!  Pray for Israel.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.  (Ps 122:6-9 NIV)

Please consider fasting for this nation!

We are in a time and season like no other.  Let’s press in and pray for His Glory to be made manifest and cascade over this entire nation.  Pray that the people would not be hard-hearted as we pray for signs, wonders and miracles pointing to the ONE who is mighty to save!