Instead Of Therapy

Chapter 7

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Our country was founded on its belief in God. In the summer of 1776, delegates from thirteen colonies met to consider the future of their new country. Suggestion after suggestion was offered and rejected. Finally, the discouraged delegates turned to Benjamin Franklin for his opinion. Hesitating a moment, he slowly rose and delivered a brief but powerful message based on Psalms 127 "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." He suggested a time of prayer. A spirit of unity resulted, and the Declaration of Independence was written. As the liberty bell rang for the first time in Independence Hall, it proclaimed the birth of the United States of America on July 4, 1776.

Eighty-seven years later, during a time of great crisis, President Lincoln in his famous Gettysburg Address, challenged the people of America to resolve "That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." There are forces at work today which are trying to take away this freedom. These enemies are strong. Unless America acknowledges her dependence on God, we could lose this freedom that"s so dear to us.

Prayer has changed the course of history in the past. It is still as powerful today. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways. Then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

The late President Kennedy, in his inaugural address, said, "Do not ask what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country." Pray, pray that our United States of American may continue as a nation under God.

In any election year, I beseech you to thoroughly understand what the candidate’s platforms are. Seek the truth, do not be misled. Ask questions. Do they believe in God? Will they stand up for America during items of tribulation? Are their beliefs and yours cohesive? These are the people that will represent you. Are they truly your choice?

Take time out of your busy schedule and study the issues, know your candidates. Most of all, get out and vote when the time comes. Too many Americans suffer from apathy. They refuse to take responsibility for what has happened to our country. It"s our fault. Yours and mine. It"s our country, yours and mine. It’s time that we face the problems instead of ignoring them. They will not go away. They are only becoming worse.

Why did we vote to take prayer out of the schools? Were we afraid that it would poison our children, or did it come about because we suffered from apathy and just did not respond? This is one small example of what can happen if we are sleeping. Our country will not be taken over from outside but from within. Failure to recognize the insidious workings of a different doctrine will allow it to grow and spread and become acceptable, even fashionable.

Why should publicly lighted crosses be forced to be taken down because a few people find it disagreeable? Why should the nativity scenes be taken from city and government property at Christmas time because it offends someone? This is a free country, and each of us has the right to self-expression. When we take away these rights, we are limiting our power.

Today the greatest need of our country is prayer. It is also the greatest need of national and world leaders today. As we recognize the seriousness of these times, we need to turn to God in intercessory prayer.

How often have the past events of history been changed because of prayer? Prayer is of primary importance. We are reminded to pray for all men everywhere. I have read that if we pray for one country each day, we will pray for the entire world three times in one year. To us, the Christian God has given us the privilege of praying. Our country desperately needs our intercession these days. May we join hearts in prayer for our beloved United States of America and for her people no matter where they are, what they are, or who they are?

May God Bless America.