by James Robison
03/29/2007
Members of Congress united to sing "God Bless America." |
WASHINGTON -- Members of Congress promised to "stand together" and vowed revenge in the aftermath of terror attacks Tuesday that killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, in Washington and New York.
Tuesday evening, lawmakers gathered on the steps of the Capitol for a symbolic display of unity and an apparently spontaneous chorus of "God Bless America."
Who can forget that memorable day when our leaders of both parties stood unified and pled with God Almighty to guide our country? Side by side, shoulder to shoulder, our men and women of Congress sang these words:
“Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.”
Today, many of those same leaders view each other as the enemy. Their time and energy is spent devising ways to defeat one another. Yet darkness still looms over our world. Daylight has not yet come. What appeared to be real unity has vanished as we have forgotten that our true Light comes from above.
Our nation must return to prayer—not just in our homes and sanctuaries, but in our halls of government. We must cease focusing on ourselves, our parties and our power and turn our eyes to our Provider and Protector. When the darkness is so bleak and it is difficult to see the way, surely we can humble ourselves and seek Divine guidance.
The Library of Congress records the first convening of the Continental Congress, which opened with prayer. Reportedly, George Washington, Patrick Henry, John Jay and other founding fathers bowed their reverently as Rev. Jacob Duche read from Psalm 35:
"Plead my cause, Oh, Lord, with them that strive with me, fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of buckler and shield, and rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'”
There is tremendous power in prayer. It unifies people under a greater purpose. It removes personal egos and aspirations from the debate. It says, “Not our will, Lord, but Yours.” If ever we needed prayer for guidance, as well as protection, it is now.
War is not new to America. Even before the “united states” became a nation, our enemies sought to destroy the ideals for which we stand. The enemies of freedom, however, have not always come from beyond our borders. After four years of a war far bloodier than the one we face today, President Lincoln closed his second inaugural address with these words:
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Our leaders desperately need the wisdom of our forefathers. Radical religion cannot be defeated when carnal political agendas prevail. We can only be saved by a Higher Power. Victory begins when we fall to our knees in fervent prayer. The way up is so often down—let’s pray.
Publishing Information
Author: James Robison
Word Count: 560
About the author: James Robison is the founder and president of LIFE Outreach International, a Christian media ministry and mission relief organization. He and his wife, Betty, host of the television program Life Today; He has authored numerous books, including The Absolutes: Freedom's Only Hope and True Prosperity.
Media Contact:
Randy Robison, editor at jamesrobison.net