Can you believe that the United States of America will be celebrating its Sestercentennial this year? I had to look up the Latin but more people are using the longer word, semiquincentennial, which means the same thing, 250 years.
I don’t know what we’ll be doing to celebrate. When the kids were younger, we’d visit their grandma because her birthday was on July 4th. We’d go to a parade and have a barbecue later. Last year Scott insisted we make a trip to Oregon to celebrate his mom’s birthday because he thought it would be his last due to the aggressive cancer in his body.
Thankfully, there was a new treatment that came out after we got back from Oregon. I’m glad we made that trip to be there in July, Scott’s mom passed away 2 months before her birthday this year. I believe she’ll enjoy the fireworks from the best view from Heaven.
Scott’s mom was proud to be a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was related to a captain who fought in the battles at Bunker Hill, Trenton, and Princeton. It’s been a while since I learned about America’s history in school. So I was surprised that the Revolutionary War started before The Declaration of Independence was written.
This document mentions God four times. In the first sentence, it states “Nature’s God entitle(s)” people. In the second sentence, all men “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” In the conclusion paragraph, “the Supreme Judge of the world.” In the last sentence, “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”
Before the Declaration was written, the Founding Fathers prayed before their meetings and asked the people to pray, too. They proclaimed days of prayer and fasting for the colonists to confess and pray for forgiveness. Many prayers before the revolution asked God to “save the King” of England, but during the war and after, the prayer books were changed to ask God to “bless and preserve these United States.”
The Founders understood that they had to convince the world that the colonists had a right to a revolution. They wanted people to know that going against a global power was a just cause because of actions of the King of England and Parliament. The “Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them” to separate.
The signers of the Declaration were willing to lose everything: their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor for this just cause of independence. As Americans, are we willing to risk everything for our unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Are we willing to exercise our right to vote for the people who will govern us? Let’s start by praying for our nation.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are the King of kings and Lord of lords. You reign over all kingdoms, empires, and governments. Give our leaders the wisdom and direction to govern over us so that peace, justice, harmony, and truth will prevail. May we have Your wisdom and direction to move this country in the way You want it to go.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus
Romans 1:20 Ever since God created the world, His invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen
Genesis 1:27 God created humans in His own image
Isaiah 33:22 The Lord is our Judge, our Lawgiver, and our King
Acts 14:17 God has shown kindness by giving rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all wickedness
Matthew 6:16 When you fast, don’t make it obvious
Exodus 3:16,17 God told Moses, “I see how the Egyptians are treating you, I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt”
Mark 8:34 Jesus said, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”
Song
“God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood is a very patriotic song that has a strong pull for Americans to stand together.
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then check out some of the special activities happening throughout the year. Check out the Freedom Trucks that are on the road delivering the story of American Independence and digitally sign the Declaration of Independence.