Hour of Decision – The Presidential Prayer Team

Come, let us return to the Lord, for he has torn us, that he may heal us, he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. – Hosea 6:1

First broadcast in 1950 by the American Broadcasting Company, the Hour of Decision was a weekly radio program produced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The hour-long program was hosted by Cliff Barrows. Thirty minutes of it was devoted to music and the remainder to the preaching of Dr. Graham. Its title was repeated at the end of each program with a call to come to Jesus for salvation.

Today, America may well be at an hour of decision of its own. Much like the metaphor of adultery in the days of Hosea, the people of Israel were looking for something they felt could not be found in God. This prophet shared God’s call to the Northern Kingdom and pointed toward the future of that nation when God would heal them. Although they would be torn asunder, He would bind them up. But the warning is there that God will judge any nation whose people cast His Word aside.

The Lord has been merciful to this nation throughout its existence. However, while God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving-kindness, He is also just and holy. The nation can be restored from its unrighteousness one person at a time. Pray for those in public office who have not yet had their hour of decision to see the error of their ways and turn to the Lord. He is ready to pardon and restore.

Today’s Verse: Hosea 6:1

Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 103:1-14

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
²Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
⁶The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
⁷He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
⁸The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
⁹He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
¹⁰He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹²as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
¹³As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
¹⁴For he knows our frame;
    he remembers that we are dust.