So many thoughts have been going through my head as we celebrate this July 4th in our great country – the United States of America. Somewhere along the way it seems the “united” part got lost. When I think of growing up and learning the Pledge of Allegiance, I remember saying it with pride, hope and reverence. That flag represented our country. The country where we lived, worked, learned and loved together. Those who lived here treated our flag with respect and dignity, not disregard and disdain. We respected our President. He was OUR PRESIDENT – we had a choice and voted him in office. What other country has these privileges? Even if we didn’t agree with choices made by our President and government, we respected the position and whomever “we the people” voted into office. We prayed for our President, our government, our country and those living in it.

1 Timothy 2:1-6 (NLT): “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.”

What has happened? Maybe it’s because we got so used to God blessing our country that we became prideful and thought we had done everything on our own. We didn’t think we needed to depend upon Him any longer – we were “it” in and of ourselves. Then we started thinking about ourselves – not as a united people but as individuals who are entitled. We are smart, inventive – know it all’s. We forgot to first seek God and His Kingdom, we became our own kings and queens. We wanted our rights given to us.

It is so clear that we are in a spiritual warfare here in the United States (and the world). God wants His rightful place again – first place. In our hearts, our families, our communities, our country. Will we fight to give it back to Him? Our lives depend upon it – our life here on earth and our eternal life. God has told us how. We just need to do it.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) “ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

So, as we are celebrating with cook-outs, fireworks, etc. this 4th of July I pray we remember The One who made it all possible – GOD! We are lost without Him. He is the air we breathe…He allows each breath. I am truly thankful for God and our country and will fight for both (on my knees). Will you?