Remember the day when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance invoked a sense of hope and inspiration; when a moment of silence to thank Almighty God was welcomed and encouraged; when God and Country were so intertwined that there was no question as to the Originator of liberty; a day when freedom was a privilege, and responsibility, to steward well for the next generation? I believe that together, we can make those memories a reality again.

Over the last few decades, the anti-faith elements have continued the fight against our Judeo-Christian heritage and have made tremendous progress on many fronts; even helping prepare the way for the recent victory at the Supreme Court. Their efforts are creating an even greater wedge between America and her Judeo-Christian founding, subsequently transferring the Authority from a good and unchanging God, to the unpredictable, strong arm of man.

American philanthropist, Robert Charles Winthrop, a Congressman from Massachusetts and one-time Speaker of the United States House of Representatives uttered poignant words in a speech to the Massachusetts Bible Society:

“All societies of men must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self-government. The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint. Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet. It may do for other countries and other governments to talk about the State supporting religion. Here, under our own free institutions, it is Religion which must support the State.”

Winthrop’s words, highlighted above, cut right to the heart of the matter. By rejecting God as the Author of human rights and refusing to self-govern ourselves according to the Principles that founded this Republic, Americans become subject to the wavering opinions and oppressive force of rulers.  Seem implausible? Take a moment to watch the story about a florist that was sued by the Attorney General of the state of Washington. Government should never punish individuals for adhering to their deeply held convictions.

Click image or here to watch

Will we stand together to protect freedom now? Will we return to the values-based and spiritual roots of our Founders? Or will we sink further into the post-modern quagmire of moral relevance, subject to the whims of a secular culture? The bayonet (brute governmental and/or military force) often rules those nations that choose to reject the precepts of a holy God. With a lack of internal control, external regulation becomes more prominent and freedoms begin to disappear one-by-one. You and I have the responsibility, and the honor, of stopping this trend in its tracks. Let’s resolve that the United States will correct her course into the 21^st Century and beyond.

The PrayUSA Initiative—including a Proclamation for a Call to Prayer —is serving as a rally point for this very purpose. The Proclamation is being read in churches and signed as a public declaration. Today, nearly 700 government leaders, over 8,000 citizens and dozens of leading Christian organizations have answered the call.

Together let’s break the back of the lie and misapplication of Separation of Church and State! Government leaders and pastors are standing side by side calling the church to pray and take a strong stand for truth.

Your church can participate—the process is easy. If you are willing to become engaged and help promote this Initiative, a three-minute video and downloadable resource kits are available at www.PrayUSA.com. Everything you need is right there, including: instructions, bulletins, flyers, posters, a PowerPoint presentation, sample emails, social media tips and much more! Ultimately…it will be the Bible or the bayonet. Let us choose wisely!