July 2, 2023 – Special Selection – The Best Gift for America’s Birthday
1TI 2:1, 2 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2 Chr. 7:14 -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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Proverbs 14:34 -Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin [is] a reproach to any people.

Introduction:

This Tuesday we celebrate our nation’s 247th anniversary. Friends, I think you will agree that America is at a critical crossroads. This truth is portrayed in the country singer Toby Keith’s song, “Happy Birthday America” he wonders if the nation’s best days are behind it, adding, “we’re going to miss you, girl.” “Without the helping hand of God, your days are numbered, my old friend.”

It was President Abraham Lincoln who long ago labored these concerns in his Gettysburg Address with these familiar remarks; “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal” he concluded that great address with a statement of great hope… that this government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth”.

The greatest gift we can offer our nation on it birthday is the gift of our prayers, because our prayers have power beyond our imagining. The English poet Tennyson wrote, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dream of.” Prayer has the power to change lives and to change the course of history.

It was the late President John F. Kennedy who issued this challenge to Americans when I was but 10 years old. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Prayer is one of the great gifts you should consider for our country. The prayer of God’s people is the greatest untapped resource available to us. It formed the foundation of our country as our forefathers contemplated the way of independence. It is equally important today as we chart the course for future generations. The past is a mirror to our future success when we consider the resolve of our nation to survive.

As American troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, President Franklin Roosevelt called for our nation to unite in prayer. He offered a prayer to prepare each citizen for the road ahead. “Let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons where so ever they may be. O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee.” The victory that followed on June 6, 1944 known as D-Day began the march to Berlin. Eighteen months later, WWII was over and one of the world’s greatest evils had been defeated. The prayers of a nation had been a powerful force.

The freedoms we have enjoyed, the prosperity we have gain along with the hope that all can aspire to the American dream is dying on the proverbial vine. This nation that our fore-fathers conceived is in pearl of becoming a completely different nation.

I believe in order to understand why we as a nation are adrift one must know what made America great. Here are two quotes of two great America Presidents that speak to these truths. George Washington & Abraham Lincoln

President George Washington once said,” Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens? “National morality cannot prevail in exclusion of religious principles. It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “We have forgotten the gracious hand, which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us,” he wrote, “And have vainly imagined that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

America is a wayward nation and we need to pray for her ills. It is now, more than ever that America needs the gift of prayer. We are a sick nation. We have stood by and watch injustice take place in our justice system and cater to the liberal few who hate God and promote “woke indoctrination”. Prayer, humility and repentance leads to righteousness that exalts a nation. We need the church to answer the call because …

I. We live in Political Turmoil
1. Toxic is the nature of our American political system, bitterly pitting factions and friends against one another and Satan loves it because it has impacted how we are defined. For Christians, our definition should transcend our political alliances. We as God’s children are called to a higher standard!

The Woke ethos is closely tied to a new World- view. Note this is not the Biblical world-view that we as believers are to adhere too but a satanic deceptive worldview that guilt’s people to follow it underpinnings. lf one adheres to the grim Woke Worldview, and if in addition one is particularly sensitive to harm moral foundations characteristic of those on the political left, ethics naturally turn towards the opposition of oppression. – Charles Pincourt

2. The political landscape in the United States is more polarized than ever, with divisions running deep not just between the parties but families and churches. The Bible warns of such strife. Furthermore, Jesus spoke wisely about division in Luke 11:17. Satan knows the Word and is using it against us for God word is true.

This state of affairs has led to a regrettable paralysis of government to deal with crime in our cities, open borders that has spawn drug deaths at the tune of 200 per day or more. These failures to attend to these urgent matters demand our collective attention in prayers and actions of service.

Paul urges us to give our bodies as “living sacrifices” in service to others. It must be an investment of our lives in the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of others. We need the church to answer the call because …

II. We live in Economic Crises

1. The economic challenges faced by the United States are significant as millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet. This decline in economic stability has given rise to increased poverty and income inequality, echoing biblical warnings found in James 5:1-6 (KJV): ” The Bible also warns of economic injustice and the oppression of the poor, as seen in Proverbs 22:16 (KJV): “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” Inflation has taken it tolls especially on the Middle class; gas, food, utility. The church need to answer the call because-

III. We live in Decline of Religious Values

1. Recent statistics show a concerning decline in religious affiliation and belief according to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, 29% of Americans identified as having no religious affiliation. This growing secularism reflects the prophetic words of 2 Timothy 4:3-4. Health, wealth & Prosperity churches…

The loss of religious values in society has led to moral decay, which is warned against in Romans 1:28-32. Today, in our American culture, we have crossed the line from disrespect to outright blasphemy! There is little reverence for God. God’s holiness is mocked. It is open season on the character of God.

2. In today’s catastrophic, moral freefall, there are two serious issues believers must address: anti-Semitism and hatred of Christianity. For more than 2,000 years, Christ’s enemies have tried to rid the world of His people. The Caesars tried it, throwing believers to the lions on the floors of their great coliseums and ever since Abraham our Jewish friends have endure not only persecution but almost extermination. Anti-Semitism has tracked God’s Chosen People across the centuries.

Jewish people now believe there is reason to fear with more than 2,100 acts of assault, vandalism and harassment reported across the United States.
Open to Romans. 1: 21.
A biblical review of the national life of Israel provides abundant proof of just how costly a lack of thankfulness can be. When a nation forgot to publicly recognize the goodness of God, its forgetfulness was always accompanied by a spiritual decline. All who turned their back on the wisdom of God are left abandoned by God to eat the fruit of their own ways. The church needs to answer the call because-

IV. We live in Social Unrest

The United States has been gripped by social unrest, with protests and demonstrations about racial injustice… and violence occurring in cities across the nation. Crime is rampant and liberal D.A’s are running our cities. D.A. Jason Williams of New Orleans, stated, Rome is burning in our cities and across this country. These tensions, combined with rising crime rates and moral decay, align with the Bible’s warning of a society in decline.
2 Timothy 3:1-3 (KJV):

The breakdown of social order and the rise of lawlessness are further evidenced in 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (KJV): “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.”

Conclusion:

Is there any hope for America?” Well the hope for America would be the same as the hope for any people. Yes, our power to overcome is in our return to God and worship of Him as creator and law-giver. Unlike any other nation, America has a sufficiently large enough segment of followers of Christ to greatly influence and impact the lifestyle of the total culture.