Bonnie Alba
America - - still 'One Nation under God'
By Bonnie Alba
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." Psalm 33:12
This year's National Day of Prayer is being held corporately across our land with fellowship meals, church gatherings, and small to large groups praying together in thanksgiving to God for blessings He has provided on our nation.
It is ironic that while we uphold that America is still "under God," many modernists and scholars argue that America was never a Christian nation and was secular from the beginning.
History tells us that from the beginning, we were known as a "Judeo-Christian" nation; that is, the standard of morality and family values which is common to both the Bible's Old and New Testaments was accepted by most peoples who immigrated to America. God's standard was considered a fundamental basis for Western legal codes and moral values. Thus, it formed the foundation for ethics and culture in Western society.
Our first president, George Washington, once said, "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible."
Our founding fathers knew the value of a people who believed and lived under the providence of God. They knew that if the Republican government experiment was to succeed, only God could establish and maintain it through a godly people.
The historical fact that our founding fathers believed that God was watching over and aiding our fledgling nation cannot be denied. Our nation's Capitol exhibits many symbols and inscriptions of honor to God in and on our national monuments and institutions.
After our first President George Washington was sworn in with his Bible open to Deuteronomy, chapter 28, he addressed the people (in part):
"... it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect."
He also stated: "We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained, ..."
Long ago, our founders started corporate prayer to God within the chambers of government. After hearing of the British forces' attack on Boston on September 6, 1774, the first Continental Congress requested Reverend Duche to pray and there were many more prayers offered in the following decade.
In 1787, after weeks-long contentious debate over the status of representation of the states, well-respected Benjamin Franklin gave an address to calm the delegates which reads in part:
"In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection — Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & 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. ... 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. And, if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? 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..."
Prayer is woven into the fabric of our nation. It is the thread that binds us together in relationship with God throughout our national history. We the people pray to God who loves us.
Though far removed from that auspicious beginning, America as a nation continues to enjoy the blessings of God. As we are continually bombarded by news of the latest corruptions and scandals amongst our nation's leaders; a government moving in a unconstitutional direction, a people forsaking God's standard, we are left wondering about the future of America, and earnestly praying.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."
In humble confession and repentance, Pray for America; that we remain 'One nation under God'!
© Bonnie Alba
May 3, 2012
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD..." Psalm 33:12
This year's National Day of Prayer is being held corporately across our land with fellowship meals, church gatherings, and small to large groups praying together in thanksgiving to God for blessings He has provided on our nation.
It is ironic that while we uphold that America is still "under God," many modernists and scholars argue that America was never a Christian nation and was secular from the beginning.
History tells us that from the beginning, we were known as a "Judeo-Christian" nation; that is, the standard of morality and family values which is common to both the Bible's Old and New Testaments was accepted by most peoples who immigrated to America. God's standard was considered a fundamental basis for Western legal codes and moral values. Thus, it formed the foundation for ethics and culture in Western society.
Our first president, George Washington, once said, "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible."
Our founding fathers knew the value of a people who believed and lived under the providence of God. They knew that if the Republican government experiment was to succeed, only God could establish and maintain it through a godly people.
The historical fact that our founding fathers believed that God was watching over and aiding our fledgling nation cannot be denied. Our nation's Capitol exhibits many symbols and inscriptions of honor to God in and on our national monuments and institutions.
After our first President George Washington was sworn in with his Bible open to Deuteronomy, chapter 28, he addressed the people (in part):
"... it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect."
He also stated: "We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained, ..."
Long ago, our founders started corporate prayer to God within the chambers of government. After hearing of the British forces' attack on Boston on September 6, 1774, the first Continental Congress requested Reverend Duche to pray and there were many more prayers offered in the following decade.
In 1787, after weeks-long contentious debate over the status of representation of the states, well-respected Benjamin Franklin gave an address to calm the delegates which reads in part:
"In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for Divine protection — Our prayers, Sir, were heard, & 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. ... 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. And, if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? 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..."
Prayer is woven into the fabric of our nation. It is the thread that binds us together in relationship with God throughout our national history. We the people pray to God who loves us.
Though far removed from that auspicious beginning, America as a nation continues to enjoy the blessings of God. As we are continually bombarded by news of the latest corruptions and scandals amongst our nation's leaders; a government moving in a unconstitutional direction, a people forsaking God's standard, we are left wondering about the future of America, and earnestly praying.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."
In humble confession and repentance, Pray for America; that we remain 'One nation under God'!
© Bonnie Alba
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
