When I asked an American friend why her Albanian husband’s relatives were considering moving from America back to Albania, she gave me this reply:

“Until 1990, Albania was ruled by Communists, the official national religion was atheism, and there were fourteen known believers in the entire country. My relatives are seeing the same socialist mindset take over America.”

Reeling, I asked, “How can that be!?” She said, “In America, you are not allowed to mention God in your public schools. That was foundational in Communist Albania.”

Just twenty-two years after Albania was known as the most spiritually closed country in the world, there are people suggesting there is more religious freedom in that country than ours.

What have we done to see our nation on such a trajectory? How has it happened that in many areas, robust Christianity has turned into a tentative faith community with little cultural influence?

Have we lost our first love by worshiping the gods of materialism and entertainment? When God asked us to rise up and “take the land,” did we tremble in fear and allow the humanist “giants” take over? Did we sacrifice our children to Molech in pro-choice fires? What exactly have we done?!

Whatever we have done, one response is needed right now: The body of Christ in America must humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways (2 Chronicles 7:14; James 4:9-10).

This week in our OneCry circles, let’s turn wholeheartedly to God and lead our groups to renounce every sin our nation has committed, whether we personally have participated in that sin or not. Let’s provide examples of humble repentance in crying out for mercy.