We may believe that we do not have anything to do with our cities’ present situation. But the Word teaches us to identify with the sins of our nation in personal repentance.
When Nehemiah prayed for the restoration of Jerusalem, he had absolutely nothing to do with the sins of the previous generations that had led the people into captivity. And yet he prayed, “‘I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against You'” (Neh. 1:6, NIV).
Ezra prayed the same: “‘O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to You, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens'” (Ezra 9:6).
They didn’t pray as if they were blameless. They identified themselves with the sins of the nation.
Perhaps you haven’t murdered anyone, but you have committed other sins that have offended God. Ask forgiveness, not just for your society’s collective sins but also for yours. Demons are not the main problem. The leading problem is the ego.
You must surrender your heart to God and seek His cleansing. Only then will you be able to intercede effectively for your country.
Claudio Freidzon is the founding pastor of the Church King of Kings which has over 20,000 members in Buenoos Aires.