They never told me about him in Sunday School. I learned about Daniel in the lion’s den, Jonah and the fish and Peter walking on the water but I never was told about Manasseh. This King of Israel was like Attila the Hun, Joe Stalin and Adolf Hitler. His favorite color was red… the color of blood. He was perhaps the most wicked and rebellious Old Testament King even though he came out of a godly home. He ruled 55 years. No term limits. He celebrated witchcraft, occult, sacrificing babies, and abominations in worship. Many believe he had Isaiah, the prophet, sawed in two. You can read about him in 2 Kings 21 and 2 Chronicles 33.

Can you guess the way his rule ended? It is a doozy of a finish. He did not retire to a Mediterranean resort. He changed direction 180 degrees. He finished strong for God. Manasseh practiced the fruits of repentance by removing the foreign gods and idols and worshipped the one true God. God forgave him.

Does it half kill you that God would give a second chance to a jerk like Manasseh? Sometimes, God’s grace ruffles our feathers and confounds our sensibilities, especially when grace is extended to someone else. The truth is genuine repentance unlocks the door of grace. Our past does not have to define our future.
Manasseh is the Old Testament prodigal who comes home. Prodigals still are invited home. Pray for them. Maybe a family member or a friend. Do not give up on anyone.

I use two tools to pray regularly for leaders…even prodigal ones.
1. www.pray1tim2.org helps me to pray for 6 different elected leaders daily.
2. Mastermedia.com has a tool I use to pray for people in media. The prayer calendar has led me to pray for Tyler Perry, Brad Pitt, Conan O’Brien, Dennis Quaid, Keanu Reeves and others this month.
I wonder who the next Manasseh might be?

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Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures, which reaches out to political, business and spiritual leaders in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge region and beyond. Michael is engaged in relational outreach and discipleship, teaching, coaching, writing and speaking. His non-profit helps leaders think through the “Big Questions” of life and thrive as a whole person: spiritually, relationally, physically and emotionally. Michael wants leaders to not only win at politics or career, but at life. He often serves as a “non-political” friend to people in the halls of leadership.

Michael spends lots of time at the Capitol in Baton Rouge, Louisiana working with Legislators, lobbyists, administration and Capitol staff in a non-political, non-partisan pastoral/chaplain role. The focus is not to lobby for legislation (as important as that is) but to help leaders with their faith and life. Days are filled with Bible studies, prayer, listening, caring appointments and many surprises. Michael loves to help people know the Jesus of the Scriptures.

Michael has spoken at political and community events, has preached at both megachurches and small churches, and has lead retreats and workshops on topics including: influence, leadership, global mission, faith and politics, faith and vocation, courage, hope, and dealing with disaster. He has been featured on such programs as Fox and Friends and Fox Business Risk and Rewards, Moody Radio and Christianity Today.

Michael holds a Business degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Divinity degree from Capital Bible Seminary (Lanham, Maryland) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Church in Covington, Louisiana for 11 years, and formerly served for 15 years at Forcey Bible Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he helped launch the Touch Global Crisis Response Ministry for the Evangelical Free Churches of America, and wrote two books – DISASTER: Betting the Farm on God in Life’s Storms and Stories from Katrinaland.

Michael does life with his wonderful wife and partner Donna. They have one son, Jonathan who is married to Patricia, and have a beloved grandchild. Donna and Michael reside in Mandeville, LA. In his spare time, he enjoys playing basketball, reading and traveling. His motto is “Bet the Farm on God.”

Article and Photo Published With Permission