On Sept. 11, 2001, I was on a plane to New Orleans Seminary when two planes, piloted by terrorists, struck the Twin Towers. When I landed in New Orleans, the airport closed, and it took a few days to get a rental car back to South Carolina, so I stayed on campus. We prayed, had a chapel service, tried to have some meetings, but basically did what most Americans were doing — watching TV in order to learn as much as we could about the attack.
During those days, President George W. Bush said, “We are freedom’s home and defender. The commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America.” What is our foundation?
When the Pilgrims landed on the shores of America, they brought with them a document they had written. It is known as the Mayflower Compact. The Pilgrims were missionaries, in essence. Their purpose for coming to America was to establish a Christian nation. That document begins, “Having undertaken for the glory of God and the advancement of the Christian faith … .”
The New England Confederation (1643) said, “Whereas we all came into these parts of America with one and the same end and aim, namely to advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
All 50 state constitutions had preambles that made special reference to God. South Carolina’s stated, “Grateful to Almighty God for liberties.”
Daniel Webster wrote, “Let us not forget the religious character of our origin. Our fathers were brought here by their veneration of the Christian religion.”
During the Revolutionary War, colonists constructed a motto aimed at King George III, “No King but King Jesus!”
Patrick Henry, who is known for the statement, “Give me liberty or give me death,” also said, “America was not founded by religionists but directly on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin asked that prayers be held in the assembly before they began their daily work. He pointed out, “I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men.” That is quite a confession, coming from a deist! Apparently his deism was quite different from the deism of today.
W.E. Bradford and David Barton have estimated that more than 90 percent of our founding fathers were Christians. Their faith is reflected in our founding documents and our structure for government.
When the Twin Towers were destroyed, Congress sang “God Bless America” on the steps of the Capitol. A prayer service in which Billy Graham spoke was conducted at the National Cathedral.
In 2005, some members of Congress signed “A Call to Pray for America.” The introduction to that document states: “Throughout the history of the United States, its citizens and inhabitants have drawn strength, hope, and guidance from prayer. From the very first Continental Congress through every form of adversity and blessing, Americans have fallen to their knees and implored God Almighty to protect their families and to heal their land … .”
Psalm 33:12 says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” America’s foundation is built on God, and God’s truth. That is how our government works most effectively. In our country, people can choose to do what is morally wrong, but we should not normalize or even legalize any type of immorality. America has drifted from the founding principles that made her great. When wars and tragedies have touched our nation, our leaders have called for prayer. We need prayer more than ever today.
We have been given the greatest opportunity in history to reach the nations of the world. But today our nation is less Christian than at any time in our history. We must have a strong base and a sure foundation for sending missionaries. To quote C.T. Studd’s often-used phrase: “The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home.”
As you celebrate the Fourth of July, remember who we used to be, who we can be, and the moral challenges we face today. Pray for America.
— Rudy Gray is editor of the Baptist Courier.