National Day of Prayer

Today as we celebrate America’s 59th Recognized National Day of Prayer, we would be remiss not to understand the underpinnings of what this day holds in virtue of its past roots in the founding of this nation. Many have sought to deny the history of how integrated prayer and specifically Christianity is to the founding of this nation and the ongoing success of our nation. Over 200 hundred years ago on April 15, 1775, 14 months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock penned these words to set aside a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer (which can be echoed even now):
“In circumstances as dark as these, it becomes us, as Men and Christians, to reflect that whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments, …at the same time all confidence must be withheld from the means we use; and reposed only on that God rules in the armies of Heaven, and without His whole blessing, the best human counsels are but foolishness… Resolved; …Thursday the 11th of May…to humble themselves before God under the heavy judgments felt and feared, to confess the sins that have deserved them, to implore the Forgiveness of all our transgressions, and a spirit of repentance and reformation …and a Blessing on the … Union of the American Colonies in Defense of their Rights [for which hitherto we desire to thank Almighty God]…That the people of Great Britain and their rulers may have their eyes opened to discern the things that shall make for the peace of the nation…for the redress of America’s many grievances, the restoration of all her invaded liberties, and their security to the latest generations.”

To recognize the correlation of when this day of prayer was proclaimed, we can see that when this day was set aside by President Harry Truman 59 years ago it was done so not based on any other precedence but historical accuracy in regards to the wishes, desires and love of Christ that those responsible for the birth of our freedoms held. Lest anyone think that I misspoke and said Christ and not “god” as in the plurality of other religions, understand that it was the same John Hancock and also John Adams that declared with unanimity that “We recognize no sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus.” It was also this same John Adams that proclaimed:
“The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

So on this nationally recognized, government sanctioned day that we humble ourselves and lift up a prayer to God, not a god, but The God proclaimed in the Bible, who sent His Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for us to have communion with, we will pray that this nation will rise above all nations. Not for the purpose of power and rule, but for the express purpose of protecting the innocent, improving the lives of men and providing justice for millions around the world who have no justice and no freedom. And we stand with Benjamin Franklin in declaring that;
“God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. I firmly believe this. I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel” –Constitutional Convention of 1787

May God Bless this nation, may our leaders be given wisdom from biblical precedent and lead with righteousness to protect our lives, our liberties and our pursuit of happiness, not with moral inequity, but righteous rule. Give our President the mind of Christ and may his counsel be Godly counsel. Give our congress a repentant heart and humility to defend the principles of freedoms while protecting our liberties through righteous legislation. May our courts be places of Justice and not deference to the depravity of man as they defend and uphold the true intent, context and meaning of the Constitution as written with intentionality to reflect biblical ideals. Let the media be purged of fractious divisions and fear mongering. Let the financial climate of our nation be healed from greed that has gripped our markets and let the people once again honor corporate America for the many benefits that they bring us in our daily lives. May the Christian liberties that we have been honored with since the founding of this nation not be halted, harassed and hailed anymore as a bigoted, racist, intolerant religion, but one that loves unconditionally, serves prolifically and honors the sanctity of life above all else as that which reflects the very life and character of God Almighty. Silence the factions within our ranks that seek only to divide and cause hatred and loathing for the things of God and let the righteous rise with the Spirit of power to:

“preach good news to the poor; bind up the broken hearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, open the prison to those who are bound; proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the vengeance of our God; comfort those that mourn; to give them beauty for ashes, gladness for mourning; a spirit of praise for despair; ……so that God might be Glorified, (then) they can rebuild….., restore….. and renew…… what has been devastated for generations!” (Isaiah 61:1-4)

God Bless America!
Pastor John Rodrigue
May 6, 2010