George Washington knelt in the snow at Valley Forge and asked God for the resources so the revolutionary army could survive.
When the Constitutional Convention met in 1789, tempers flared and harsh words were spoken in the debate over how the new government should operate. After much argument, the members had come to a stalemate. But Benjamin Franklin, aged and ailing, made yet one more important contribution to the young nation — he asked for God's intervention. "God governs in the affairs of men," he said, addressing George Washington and the assembly. "And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?" Franklin then suggested beginning each session with prayer and that a member of the clergy be retained to lead them in their supplications. Not only did this bring the Convention back to an essential focus, but it also led to the establishment of a chaplaincy in the United States Congress that remains to this day.7
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Abraham Lincoln, perhaps the greatest president of our country, said, "I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go. My own wisdom and that of those about me seemed insufficient for the day."
The events of September 11, 2001, were tragic, but they resulted in a brief spiritual revival in America. As Max Lucado said, "Some evil men sought to drive America to her knees that fateful day, but they did not know the God to whom we pray when we are on our knees." Americans flocked to churches the evening of September 11 and the days that followed, falling on their knees before God in prayer. The leaders of our nation openly called upon us to pray to God for America. For several months the song "God Bless America" was for all practical purposes our national anthem. It was sung at every public gathering alongside of the traditional "Star Spangled Banner," often with more zeal and enthusiasm.
THE FUTURE OF AMERICA: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
As we face an uncertain future with prospects of war and threat of more terrorism always looming, we would be wise to pray. We should pray, "Lord, help us to avoid war if possible, but to always have the courage to stand for what is right. Protect our sons and daughters and allow justice to prevail. Lord, help us to repent of our immorality, greed, and disrespect for life, and may our nation turn to you."
I hear some Christian people talking very pessimistically about America's future. "We're finished," they say. "We're a post-Christian nation now and God will judge us for our disobedience." I agree that God will judge us if we do not repent, but we don't know the future. Our God is an awesome God, and he promises to listen to the prayers of his people. Jesus said, "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).