Establishing a United States Space Force

In February 2019, President Donald J. Trump established the United States Space Force. On May 15, 2020, the flag of the newly formed organization was unfurled in the Oval Office of the White House. President Trump invited Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to say a few words:

“Let me just say it’s a very historic moment.  The United States has been a spacefaring nation for decades, but we know that our adversaries in the last several years have weaponized space. They’ve made it a warfighting domain. So, with the establishment of [the] Space Force and the establishment of Space Command, the United States is now doing what it needs to do to protect our assets in space and ensure that space remains the heavens by which we not only protect America, but we sustain our economy, we sustain our commercial capabilities, we sustain Americans’ way of life. So again, [we are in] another very historic moment. I’m confident that both the Space Force and the Space Command will do what is necessary to defend us in space and to keep America great.”

General Mark Milley, current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was also invited to make a comment:

“This is a historic day. Some time ago, we made a decision to establish the Space Force, and that’s because we’re undergoing a changing character of war, which is of historic importance for all nations. As part of that, the space part of our universe opened up as a domain of warfare. It’s critical that if we are going to sustain our way of life, if we’re going to defend our nation, we’re going to have to defend ourselves in space, and therefore the need for the Space Force. It’s a great day for the nation and for the world that the United States of America establishes its first Space Force.”

General John Raymond, current Commander of the Space Force presented the flag:

“Sixteen thousand space professionals are assigned to the Space Force. We’re proud of this flag. They come to work every day focusing on providing space capabilities for our nation, for our joint coalition forces, and for the world. We’re proud of [them and of] this flag.”

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett made these statements to close the ceremony:

“Thank you, Mr. President. You’ve really demonstrated leadership in establishing the Space Force. This is an important moment and an important month, actually. Most Americans, before their first cup of coffee in the morning, have used space, but very few people realize how important space is to everything that we do, that it’s vulnerable, [and that] we need to up our game in space.  You’ve recognized that and built a force that will help to protect our assets in space and deter aggressive action in space. If deterrence doesn’t work, [we will still] be able to defend our assets in space and those of our allies. So we thank you very much for the leadership you’ve demonstrated and we’re excited for this breakthrough moment.” 

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:14-18; NKJV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

  • Reflect on Genesis 1:1-18 and all that God created. We have explored the planet. Now, it’s time to explore the vastness of space. The heavens declare the Glory of God! 
  • Thank the Lord for the innovation and foresight He has historically deposited in citizens of the United States of America. 
  • Thank Him for those that could see the need for a United States Space Force.
  • Thank Him for President Trump listening to military leadership and developing this force that will explore the heavens and protect this nation and other nations of the world.
  • Intercede for those that are developing this fledgling military branch. Pray for the leadership above by name, but also pray for the 16,000 other members assigned to the U.S. Space Force.

A prayer you can pray:

Lord, I say with the psalmist, David, in Psalms 8:3-6, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than [Yourself], and You crown him with glory and majesty! You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.” In Your magnificent wisdom, You chose to make man in Your image and to work with Him to establish Your Kingdom on the earth. How could man have ever imagined what would unfold before him as history began? Here we are, thousands of years later. Having explored the Earth, we are ready to explore the space around us. 

You have bestowed on this nation a gift of invention and innovation. What we can imagine, You have given us the ability to achieve. Dreaming with You has led us to this point. Our military leadership and our president have launched the United States Space Force to go further. While some acknowledge that it may become a necessity in this day to reach to space to protect America and other nations, it is also another season of exploring the heavens and earth You created. May we do so and always exalt You, the Maker of those heavens and the earth. Great and mighty God, may more worship Jesus as a result of the U.S. Space Force and its work. Amen.

Today’s decree:

Our nation needs the Space Force to sustain our way of life, defend our nation, and show forth the glory of God!