President Trump Remarks on Religious Freedom

“The United States is founded on the principle that our rights do not come from government; they come from God. This immortal truth is proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and virtuous society than the right to follow one’s religious convictions.

“Regrettably, the religious freedom enjoyed by American citizens is rare in the world. Approximately 80 percent of the world’s population live in countries where religious liberty is threatened, restricted, or even banned. And when I heard that number, I said, “Please go back and check it because it can’t possibly be correct.” And, sadly, it was. Eighty percent.

“As we speak, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Yazidis, and many other people of faith are being jailed, sanctioned, tortured, and even murdered, often at the hands of their own government, simply for expressing their deeply held religious beliefs. So hard to believe.

“Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution.  

“To stop the crimes against people of faith, release prisoners of conscience, repeal laws restricting freedom of religion and belief, protect the vulnerable, the defenseless, and the oppressed, America stands with believers in every country who ask only for the freedom to live according to the faith that is within their own hearts.” (President Trump)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13; NASB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • The founders of the United States of America understood that the only way for a Christian nation to have freedom to follow Christ, freedom for all religions must be guaranteed. Therefore, the first Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” Thank the Lord for our founders’ wisdom.
  • Thank the Lord that we are free, as Christians in America, to worship Him, to freely preach the Gospel, to share our faith with others, and to walk out our faith without fear of retribution most of the time.
  • People of other faiths are also free to convert to Christianity here in America. This can only be the case when we allow everyone the freedom to choose to worship in any way they want. Pray that many would choose Christ.
  • Pray that other nations would embrace religious freedom as a culture. This will allow for many more opportunities to share the love of Christ with so many more people.
  • Pray for the release of those imprisoned for their faith around the world. You can read more about the persecuted Church here.

A prayer you can pray:

God, You gave our founding fathers a unique wisdom when they wrote our founding documents. They made clear that the United States was to be founded on the principle that our rights do not come from government; they come from God. This immortal truth is proclaimed in our Declaration of Independence and enshrined in the First Amendment to our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Our Founders understood that no right is more fundamental to a peaceful, prosperous, and virtuous society than the right to follow one’s religious convictions. In order for Christians to worship freely in America, all people must be granted the freedom to do so. God doesn’t want us to force others to convert to Christianity. He wants us all choose to love and worship His Son, Jesus. We can share the Gospel here in America without being afraid of going to jail or of being tortured or killed. Lord, we want that for every nation on the earth. We bless President Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Ambassador Sam Brownback who are asking the nations of the earth to take steps to advance religious freedom and end religious persecution. This will open the door for further advancement of Your Gospel message. It will free those imprisoned for their faith around the globe. Lord, we pray for the persecuted Church around the world today. Set the captives free, Jesus! Amen.

Today’s decree:

“Today, with one clear voice, the United States of America calls upon the nations of the world to end religious persecution.”

Excerpted from “Remarks by President Trump at the United Nations Event on Religious Freedom | New York, NY”, 09/23/2019.