Make a Difference
Happy 4th of July! You know that feeling when you think, “How can I, an insignificant individual, make a difference in the future of our country?”
Have you ever realized the power you have as a woman of God who is a prayer warrior praying for her country?
I want to call you to action today! Let’s make a difference! God HEARS and ANSWERS PRAYER! The most patriotic thing you can do today is PRAY!
Patriotism on the 4th of July, of all days, raises its voice to a crescendo across America. But, what about the rest of the year? Our country has its issues right now, to be sure, but I believe it’s still the greatest country on earth. But, America, and the world, need prayer desperately! The USA, though great, can be greater. You and I can make a difference. You and I NEED to make a difference. We need to pray!!!
In this post, I will share how prayer can make and has made a difference in our country. I want to challenge you to pray for our country!!! And may God bless America!
How to Make a Difference By Praying for the Country
God has commanded us to pray for our country. (Get The Patriotic Prayer Journaling Kit to Begin Consistently Praying for Our Country! Included: Suggested Prayers for Our Country and Journaling Pages, in Patriotic Themes!) We’re commanded in God’s Word to pray for our leaders. For a purpose. He says there is a cause-and-effect relationship between our prayers and the ability we have to live godly and peaceable lives.
God commands us in His Word through the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 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.”
How Prayer Made a Difference in Our Country’s History
When I went looking for evidence of the power of prayer in America’s history and founding, it was astonishing how many quotes there were, and what a faith-building and challenging search that was! Here are just a few quotes:
“‘I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as perfectly satisfied that the Union of the States in its form and adoption is as much the work of a Divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament were the effects of a Divine power.’ Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration.
James Madison observed, ‘It is impossible for the man of pious reflection not to perceive in it [the writing of the Constitution] a finger of that Almighty Hand which has been so frequently and signally extended to our relief in the critical stages of the Revolution.’
David Barton, present-day founder of WallBuilders, says, ‘So, I would point to the independence of America and the creation of its unique Constitution and government as direct answers to prayer.'”[1]
Why Praying for the Country Makes a Difference
Praying makes a difference, because God commands us to pray, listens to our prayers, and engages with our prayers, to act and answer! The All-Loving, All-Knowing and Most-Powerful One in the Universe is responding to our requests and that can’t help but change the world in profound ways!
“He mingles our prayers with the incense of his own Almighty intercession. So mingled, they go up as a sweet savor before the throne of God. Poor as they are in themselves, they are mighty and powerful in the hand of our High Priest and Elder Brother.” J. C. Ryle [2]
Let us never forget how powerful prayer is!!! Cry Out to God! For yourself, your family and for our Country!!!
However, let’s not think that prayer is a magic pill! There is also a prerequisite to God’s hearing our prayers. Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” God will not hear my prayers if I respect sin in my life.
We often quote 2 Chronicles 7:14,
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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.”
“This one verse alone shows that prayer alone is not enough. If you want God to ‘hear from heaven’ when you pray, then there is more to the equation! It also requires that we humble ourselves, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways.”[3]
Examples Of The Difference Prayer Made In History
Benjamin Franklin, during the writing of the Constitution said this: “In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor.”
“We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel. . . . I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business.”[4]
You who are reading this today, I must ask you, are we in less need of crying out to God for His aid than the framers of the Constitution were? Are we a more righteous nation? Do we need God’s mercy and forgiveness, or His help, one tiny bit less than they did?!
Prayer For America Involves Fasting And Prayer
“National days of prayer in America go back to June 12, 1775, at the start of the American Revolutionary War, when the Continental Congress declared: ‘Congress … considering the present critical, alarming and calamitous state … do earnestly recommend, that Thursday, the 20th of July next, be observed by the inhabitants of all the English colonies on this continent, as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer, that we may with united hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our many sins and offer up our joint supplications to the all-wise, omnipotent and merciful disposer of all events, humbly beseeching Him to forgive our iniquities.'”[3]
The thoughts expressed that jump out from the page to me, are “Public Humiliation,” a call to “confess and deplore our many sins” and “humbly beseeching Him to forgive our iniquities.” I call you today to personally, first of all, then corporately, repent of sin, and humbly beg God for forgiveness and healing of our land.
Praying In Humility For Forgiveness As A Country
Abraham Lincoln recognized in his day his country’s great need to confess their sins, and turn to God, when he said the words below. How much more do they apply today?!
“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.
We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, 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.
“It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”
Abraham LincolnClick the Flag to Get The Patriotic Prayer Journaling Kit today and Begin Consistently Praying for Our Country!
Make A Difference By Praying To God In Jesus’ Name
“The prayer of a poor child of Adam is a feeble thing in itself, but once endorsed by the hand of the Lord Jesus it availeth much.” J. C. Ryle
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my Name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).”
A List of Suggested Prayers for Our Country
If you would like a place to start, I have put together a list of prayers for you that you can pray for our country. You can get it along with all the tools you will need to begin consistent Prayer for our Country–in the Patriotic Prayer Journaling Kit! I know you’ll love using the journaling pages, and they’ll encourage you to pray more and you will make a difference in the future of our country! Our country needs your prayers. Whether you live in the United States or not, these would be wonderful prayers to pray for whatever country you are in! I attempted to base them on Scripture, as much as possible. I would love to hear what additional prayers you would add.
…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 1 Timothy 2:2
The Promises of God To Those Who Pray In Jesus’ Name
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
“All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).
“Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (Jesus)” (John 14:13-14).
God Encourages Us In His Word to Pray
“What did the Lord mean when he spoke the parables of the friend at midnight and the importunate widow (Luke 11:5; Luke 18:1)? Think over these passages. If this is not encouragement to pray, words have no meaning.” J. C. Ryle
Click the Flag to Get The Patriotic Prayer Journaling Kit today and Begin Consistently Praying for Our Country!
Scripture Tells us Prayer makes a Great Difference
“There are wonderful examples in Scripture of the power of prayer. Nothing seems to be too great, too hard, or too difficult for prayer to do. It has obtained things that seemed impossible and out of reach. It has won victories over fire, air, earth, and water.” J. C. Ryle
Be sure to read the Series on Prioritizing Your Spiritual Life (“Do You Pray?”) by J. C. Ryle. Prayer to our Heavenly Father is life-changing, and will draw you into a close fellowship with Him, like nothing else.
Read all my posts in this Series on Prioritizing Your Spiritual Life, “Do You Pray,” by J. C. Ryle:
- Part 1: “Prayer is Helpful to Your Greatest Spiritual Growth”
- Part 2: “Do You Have a Powerful Prayer Life”
- Part 3: “Want to Know the Guaranteed Way to Reach God in True Prayer?”
- Part 4: “Do you Know the God Who Answers Prayer”
- Part 5: “Want to Know How To Explode Your Spiritual Life?”
- Part 6: “How to Immediately Turn If You Are a Backsliding Christian”
- Part 7: “How to Have Terrific Happiness and Contentment”
- Part 8A: “How to End Prayerlessness for Spiritual Survival”
- Part 8B: “The First Steps How to Be Saved By Jesus”
- Part 9: “How to Have a Prayer Life That You and God Both Love”
- Part 10: “How Much Do You Want From God”
- Part 11: “How to Pray for Particular Things from God”
Click the Flag to Get The Patriotic Prayer Journaling Kit today and Begin Consistently Praying for Our Country!
Have a Great Day Making Your Home For God!
I help Christian moms raise their kids according to Biblical principles, get organized to manage life, achieve their unique God-given goals and dreams, and fulfill God’s purpose for them to make a difference in the world through my workshops, courses, and coaching founded on Biblical principles. You are already successful in many areas. I can help you in those that you’re not. Dream big dreams, and see God transform and use your life in amazing ways! Let’s work together for your success!
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References:
[1] https://wallbuilders.com/founding-fathers-prayer/
[2]https://yourhomeforgod.com/do-you-know-the-god-who-answers-prayer/
[3] https://www.thetrumpet.com/16401-god-has-responded-to-past-national-days-of-prayer
