We live in a country like no other in the world.

My travels around the globe have only solidified and confirmed in my heart and mind that America truly is the land of opportunity.  You can choose to be critical of our leaders, our government, our taxes, or any number of things, but the reality is,  America is still the place that people from all over world look to as a beacon of freedom and hope and prosperity.

“O beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain…”

Many have risked their lives to come here– attempting to gain their freedom from oppression, from persecution, or from poverty–all seeking the privilege of freedom.

“O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!”

And WE CANNOT FORGET the price of freedom.  Far too many have given their lives for us to take lightly the freedoms that we enjoy.

“O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!”

Some were born here, some have chosen to come here, but we all are the recipients.  We live in a land that is FREE.

“Land of the free and home of the brave!”

Can we just stop a moment and be grateful?

“I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free…” !

No country or nation is perfect–and let’s not forget that the foundation of our freedom was not built on government or politics:

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

~~Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

In 1954, in response to the Communist threat of the times, President Eisenhower encouraged Congress to add the words “under God,” creating the 31-word pledge we say today…

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Many of our forefathers knew the only firm foundation was one built on TRUTH. They believed and trusted [“in GOD WE TRUST”] in an eternal, all-powerful God, and they understood that dependence on God wasn’t a weakness–

It was a strength.

American Christians, we are privileged–and that privilege brings responsibility.  WE MUST PRAY for our country, our leaders, and our future.

This is my prayer.  Psalm 67 reminds me that when we are blessed, it’s because we have turned to Him, and so that we will make Him known among all nations.

“America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”