A Prayer for America to Hold on to Its Religious Freedom
By Lynette Kittle
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” - Galatians 5:13
Over the years, the debate about whether or not America was established for religious freedom has increased. As historical facts are being revised or erased, more and more individuals and groups are challenging whether or not Christians had anything to do with the establishing of our country.
One ministry dedicated to keeping America’s founding beliefs intact is D. James Kennedy Ministries. In their DVD, “Intolerant: The War on Religious Liberty,” they stand firm on the truth that “America only exists as we know it because of devout Christians who came here for religious freedom.”
Many Americans have never heard the truth of how God led Christians who longed to serve Him openly, leave everything behind and risk their lives to set sail for a New World. In The Pilgrim Chronicles, historian Rod Gragg explains how, around 1606 in England, the Pilgrims began as a group of Christian separatists seeking to worship Jesus in the purity of the gospel, based on their understanding of the Geneva Bible.
But at that time, meetings outside the Church of England were illegal, bringing harsh persecution to the Pilgrims. After fleeing to Holland around 1609, they were concerned their children were beginning to follow worldly Dutch ways in the Netherlands, causing them to look for new living options. Hearing of the Jamestown settlement led the Pilgrims to borrow funds and request permission from King James to make the Mayflower voyage. Granted the right to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, gave them the opportunity to sail to the New World, where they could find a permanent home to worship Jesus in peace.
America’s foundation laid in biblical truth by the Pilgrims led our Founding Fathers to base our Declaration of Independence on godly principles. These truths have given us the right to worship God freely and without reserve. As history records, prayer and fasting played a major role in helping America to establish its freedom. The first Americans practiced James 4:10 on a national level, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Sadly nowadays, many Americans no longer believe in our country’s godly beginning and heritage. But with prayer, we can see our nation return to God and keep our religious freedoms intact. Even though it seems like our religious freedoms are quickly slipping away in America, we can ask God to watch over and protect our religious freedoms, knowing that with God, all things are possible (Mark 10:27).
Let’s pray:
Dear Father,
We come now to humble ourselves before You, asking You to move upon our nation and lead Americans to hold fast to our godly heritage, a legacy of religious freedom to openly worship and serve You in our land. As 2 Chronicles 7:14 assures us, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Forgive us, Father, for the ways our nation has drifted and turned away from You. Remind Americans how Christians were led by You to sail and settle this land for Your glory. Restore America’s godly foundation and heritage. Let our leaders return to Your Word and Truth in writing laws, handing down judicial decisions, and ruling over the people.
Help Americans to understand that true freedom is a gift from You. Like John 8:36 assures us, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Let our nation look to You as our hope and Salvation, and put all our trust in You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/photovs
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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