Celebrating the Best That America Is!
“We understand that a nation is more than just a geography. A nation is the sum of its citizens, their hopes, their dreams, their values, and their prayers. America is a land rich with history and culture, and filled with people of courage, kindness, and strength. And though we have many stories we all share at home, the one thing we do share is one beautiful destiny. And whether we are black or brown or white, we all bleed the same red blood. We all salute the same great American flag. And we are all made by the same Almighty God.” (President Donald J. Trump)1
“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. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14; NIV)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
- Thank the Lord for the freedom we enjoy here in America at the cost of so many lives given for that freedom.
- Before you go and picnic, party, and set off fireworks, pray for the families of those whose loved ones paid the ultimate price so you could enjoy that freedom today.
- Think about all the things you do each day that shout “I live in a free nation!” Thank God for each and every one!
- Now, do the same for those things that are unique about the United States. What a gift of a nation God has given us!
A prayer you can pray:
Father, freedom is precious and its cost is great. The cost for our nation’s freedom certainly has been. I thank you, God, for that freedom, but I also pray for those who have felt the pain of the loss of loved ones whose blood bought that freedom for me and my family. Comfort them, Lord. Thank you for reminding me to let my first thoughts today, as I get ready to celebrate Independence Day, be for those who have suffered loss for America’s freedom and for those who mourn. I live in a free nation! (Thank the Lord for all you personally have and do that shows this. Then, think about what freedom looks like in this nation and thank Him for that.) Thank you, Jesus, for the freedom we celebrate today! Amen.
Today’s decree:
I decree that I will not use my freedom to indulge the flesh, but to love and serve others, making Jesus known to them, and to expand the Kingdom of God in my realms of influence.
1 Remarks by President Trump at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Conference, June 8, 2017