Patriotism and Prayers

According to author Hal Borland, “July is a picnic and a red canoe and a sunburned neck and a softball game and ice tinkling in a tall glass. July is a blind date with summer.”

I associate this month with long daylight hours, watermelon and corn on the cob, jars full of fireflies, and June bugs tied to a string. It’s a time of celebration and a time to count the blessings and freedoms we often take for granted.

If you have read my recent interview with Hannah C. Hall, you know she is a prayerful author. Her book God Bless Our Country, ©2016 by Thomas Nelson and illustrated by Steve Whitlow, acknowledges many of those blessings and gives credit where credit is due.

“Tonight, we’ll snooze beneath the sky.

We’ve got the biggest view.

These summer nights make star-filled sights.

Just look what God can do!”

Yes, “Just look what God can do!”

The critters in Hall’s book raise the flag, bow their heads, sing about their freedom, and ask for God’s blessings on their land.

Dr. Ben Carson encourages us to have respect for our country in his book Red, White, and Blue (©2022 by American Cornerstone Institute with Valerie Pfundstein and illustrated by Justin Louis).

“We show our respect for the flag.

It’s an emblem of our nation.

Place hand on heart, or in salute,

And stand in appreciation.”

We kneel to God, but stand for the flag in loyalty to our nation.”

Michelle Medlock Adams mentions many of the symbols we’ve come to associate with our country in her book What Is America? (©2019 by Worthy Kids and illustrated by Amy Wummer)

“The pledge, the flag, the fireworks,

The anthem we adore—

They represent America,

But there is so much more.”

Adams goes on to explain that while these symbols are nice, America was founded on faith.

Papa Berenstain gives thanks to God when he says, “We believe that it was God’s will that our new country came to be. And it gave folks from all over the world a place to go where they could to be truly free.”—from God Bless Our Country by Mike Berenstain (©2015 by Zonderkidz).

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”—Hebrews 11:6

In my lifetime I don’t believe there has ever been evidence of a greater need for God’s blessings upon our troubled land. Yes, I understand the 1960s were a turbulent time, but I was too young to understand the tensions and the protests.

Today, our country seems to be searching for a Savior and a Shepherd, a Captain and a Counselor. Our God can be all those things if we will turn our eyes upon Him. I know His grace is sufficient to meet our needs.

I believe He cares for us, but do we let Him know we care for Him? Do we make worship and church attendance and daily prayer a priority, or do we only turn to Him in times of trouble? He will bless us—even though we are not worthy—if we turn to Him.

“But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness, I will enter Your house. At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence to you.”—Psalm 5:7

I am always moved when I witness patriotic ceremonies on special holidays. I have felt the reverence of God’s presence while listening to Lee Greenwood sing “God Bless the USA”; while visiting places like Arlington National Cemetery, the Holocaust Museum, and the Sistine Chapel; and while hiking the hills of Tennessee. While watching the fireworks burst in the night sky every July 4, I sense the wonder of it all, and I feel the awesome power of God.

Yes, “Just look what God can do!”

According to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”

Are our actions today worthy of God’s blessings upon our country and our future generations? Like the beavers in Hannah C. Hall’s book, I pray that God will help us turn to Him and make us appreciative of the grace He bestows.

During this patriotic month, let’s show the King of Kings how truly thankful we are. According to Oswald Chambers, “Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God.” My personal prayer for our country is that our people will do God’s will and acknowledge that amazing grace.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”—2 Chronicles 7:14

As we practice patriotism this month, let us be sincere in our appreciation, our loyalty, our reverence. As we focus on the fireworks and the spectacles in the night skies, let’s remember to thank God for His glory and His grace. Let’s pray for His will to be done in all things.

We will be amazed at what God can do!

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.”—Frederick Douglass

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”—John Bunyan

“God of all our cities,

Each alley, street, and square,

Please look down on every house

And bless the people there.”—Joan Gale Thomas

Psalm 62:2; Matthew 5:8-9; Isaiah 45:23; Galatians 5:13; Psalm 33:12