A year ago, I wrote that America is in serious trouble. The convergence of political extremism, social unrest, pandemic paralysis, and general confusion has left us gasping for breath and groping for solutions. The chaos of the past 18 months exposed the deep divide in the empty soul of the nation.
Many are confused, asking: What is happening to our country? Where did all this begin? Why are we so divided?
Let us begin by examining the root cause of the current chaos. In the nineteenth century, then Princeton theologian Charles Hodge warned that when American education ceased to be distinctively Christian it would only remain neutral (non-Christian) for a while and then ultimately turn decisively Anti-Christian. Within 100 years, his prediction came true.
The Supreme Court decision in 1962 (Engel v. Vitale) ruled prayer out of the public schools. Subsequently, even voluntary moments of silence were eliminated and in time all religious instruction was banned from American public education. While students are still free to pray privately or in small groups, the absence of God in American public education is now glaringly obvious. The result is rampant secularization.
Today, the war against America is a spiritual battle for the soul of the nation. It plays out in several areas under the disguise of social justice and political correctness. Free speech is only acceptable for the radical, liberal left. Conservative Christians are denounced as racists, bigots, and anti-intellectuals. Any attempt to criticize or question the left-wing agenda is met with censorship, hostility, and ridicule. Make no mistake, it is a covert attack of Satan against the very heart of America’s Christian values.
As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, what can we as Christians do to bring our nation closer together?
Pray for Revival. The Apostle James said, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). Specifically, pray for our leaders; for our nation’s continued support of Israel; for the American church to continue to be an effective witness for the Gospel, both at home and abroad; and for America to experience a great revival and turning to the Lord, so that our goodness might merit our greatness in the sight of God. America is in trouble today because she continues to turn away from God. We need a spiritual awakening to turn our nation back to God before it is too late.
Be an active citizen. Our nation provides more freedom than most others to participate in the selection of our leaders and to petition them with our concerns. Be sure to make Godly choices in the voting booth, and let our leaders know where you stand on matters of concern to us as Christians.
Be an active church member. Do what you can to support missionary endeavors. Remember, such activities are not limited to people serving in far-away places. It includes organizations that spread the Gospel through the media. It also includes us as individuals, as we witness for the Lord in our own communities.
Remember that God is in control. Although the Bible tells us to obey those in earthly authority over us (Romans 13:1-5) and to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-4), we should never allow our nation – or its leadership – to replace God as objects of worship. It is God who “removeth kings, and setteth up kings” (Daniel 2:21). When seemingly insurmountable problems face our nation and our world, remember that our Lord said these things would be prevalent in the days immediately prior to His return, and gave us the helpful admonition:
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,” Luke 21:28.
Only the power of God can save us. We desperately need His divine intervention. America needs a spiritual awakening and a genuine revival of repentance, regeneration, and re-engagement with the culture. Nothing short of a radiant, Spirit-filled Christianity can speak truth into a decadent and self-destructive culture.