The founding of the United States of America was by the providence of God. Is America still “One Nation Under God”? With so many pro-abortion demonstrations and threats against Supreme Court Justices, one has to wonder. Does that pledge still ring true now as it did just a few decades ago? Growing up we were proud to be American. Following WW2, we understood the true significance of what that meant across the world and the defeat of a brutal tyranny both in Europe and Asia. 

From the early Church, prayer was an essential part of church life, especially during times of persecution. Prayer is as essential for today’s America, as it was then. 

It was their perseverance in prayer and evangelism that changed the world around them. The pagan Roman Empire itself was changed with Christianity being declared the official religion of the Roman Empire by Emperor Theodosius I, in 380 AD. The power of prayer and God's grace is essential for change. 

Prayer is not new for America. The prominent influence of prayer in public life came early in American history as noted on the slide. 

Christian prayer came to America’s shores early in its history and was woven into the very fabric of colonial America’s culture and society. The creation of and signing of the Mayflower Compact was one such event in our early history, shown on the slide.

Edward Winslow (18 October 1595 – 8 May 1655) was a Separatist who traveled on the Mayflower in 1620. He was one of several senior leaders on the ship and also later at Plymouth Colony. Both Edward Winslow and his brother, Gilbert Winslow signed the Mayflower Compact.

The 1962 Supreme Court virtually changed America, as we'll see in the next slide. Little did they realize just how much. The Warren Court was the period in the history of the Supreme Court of the United States during which Earl Warren served as Chief Justice. Warren replaced the deceased Fred M. Vinson as Chief Justice in 1953, and Warren remained in office until he retired in 1969. Warren was succeeded as Chief Justice by Warren Burger. The Warren Court is often considered the most liberal court in US history.

A 1962 Supreme Court ruling changed America’s prayer life forever beginning at the youngest ages. A Court decision by which young Americans lost a historic and cultural roadmap. Much of the lack of respect for law and order can be traced directly to that Court decision. 

Prior to 1962, for many Americans, this was the start of a typical school day. Why does prayer matter? It is direct one-on-one communications with God. It is a relationship in and through Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. No nation can survive without that connection, neither the Christian Roman Empire or Israel in the Old Testament, both of which failed in turning away from God. 

That same reverence of and in prayer existed in and with every generation in America. It honors God for His blessings and grace over our land. Something we cannot and should not forget. 

We are at a crossroad in today’s America, as our Nation moves farther away from it core values. Nevertheless, we need to be steadfast praying with a sense of humility and dependance on God’s Providence, the very lifeblood of His grace and protection. 

Adrian Rogers 34-minute message, “When the Spirit Speaks”, is worth your time for both understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in our life and our relationship with God. It is the Holy Spirit that changes our heart and relationship to God and gives our prayers meaning. Click on or copy and paste the following link into your web browser. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE8P3Z_gfqs

The End

of this week's posting