It’s no secret that America’s religious freedom is deteriorating. As the country splits down the middle, one side cries tolerance – yet some can’t tolerate people who think they are right to serve God. The culture’s effort to be respectful of others’ beliefs has come at a cost. Several Christian Americans are now more afraid than ever to offend or cause an uproar for stating their opinion on a social or political issue.

Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples.

Isaiah 12:4

Today’s verse calls for a public declaring of who God is. Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels” (Luke 9:26).

What of God’s deeds do you appreciate? Ask Him for wisdom and boldness to make these things known. Pray that God’s people will declare His Word and not be timid when it comes to stating their view in the public square. Finally, intercede for the leaders and citizens of this nation who have yet to call upon the name of the Lord.

Recommended Reading: II Corinthians 4:7-18

There is a good chance you are reading this on your smartphone, waiting in line at a cash register as you participate in the great frenzy that is called Black Friday. It might be a good moment, then, to reflect on the importance of measurement and moderation.

I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand!  Zechariah 2:1

What is the meaning of this curious verse in Zechariah – the vision of a man with a measuring line in his hand? The scene was recorded 500 years before the birth of Christ. The prophet was forecasting the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem…a task that would require careful planning, prayer, measurement, collaboration and strategic deployment of resources. That’s a sharp contrast to the characteristics of Black Friday shopping, which is marked by heavy doses of impulse, chaos and hyperextension of credit lines.

As you enjoy the kickoff to the Christmas season and all of the wonderful things surrounding it, be sure to thank God for the freedoms He has given to you in this nation. And may you, and America’s leaders, use each resource in a strategic, measured, Godly way…for His glory.

Recommended Reading: Romans 12:3-13

Toyota recently invested another $50 million in cooperation with the Stanford and MIT robotics departments to create a car that virtually cannot get into an accident. It speeds up, slows down or re-directs in response to potential events. However, recent polls show Americans are leery of a car making decisions for them; most say they would not remove their hands from the wheel if directed to do so.

I entrust to you, Timothy…that by them you may wage the good warfare.

I Timothy 1:18

In the letter Paul wrote to his young apprentice Timothy, he tells him to hold on to his reputation by keeping his life free from evil so people will listen to his message. Paul describes the same issues that shipwreck people today. Lying, immoral sexual habits, anger, chasing money, and following false teachers was as spiritually hazardous then as it is today. Paul tells Timothy the only way to avoid a spiritual crash and burn is to let Christ guide your conduct.

Pray for your fellow believers in America to conduct lives above reproach. Ask God to assist you in the decisions you make every day – especially today. Remove your hands from the wheel so many will see God’s redemption and power in your life.

Recommended Reading: Luke 1:68-79

During the presidential campaign in 1912, Woodrow Wilson said, “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.” Today, America fits this description. In 2014, the National Center for Education Statistics found only 18 percent of eighth grade students are proficient in United States history, 27 percent in geography and 23 percent in civics. America was founded on Christian principles, but those ideals cannot survive if not taught and reinforced.

Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!

Lamentations 3:40

In today’s verse, the prophet Jeremiah gives the solution. Jerusalem and Judea had been destroyed by Babylon. Judgment had come because the people had turned away from God. But there was still hope even in judgment – if the people examined where they went wrong and returned to the Lord.

Are you concerned for the direction of the nation? If so, pray each day for Godly leaders to rise up and set the course for America back towards God. Pray also for those who do not know the Lord personally to develop a relationship with Him.

Recommended Reading: Joel 2:12-17

When what is traditionally known as the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in America in 1621, Native Americans met with the European transplants for a three-day festival and feasted on venison, shellfish, and home-grown vegetables. They celebrated the harvest, perseverance through harsh times, and the unity among the two people groups. However, it wasn’t until 1863, under President Abraham Lincoln after a campaign by writer Sara Hale, that Thanksgiving became an annual national tradition.

There was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday.

Esther 8:17

When Esther won favor with the king and saved the Jewish people from Haman’s evil plan of destroying them, the Jews celebrated with a holiday feast. They had joy and gladness in their hearts. The celebration was an act of thanksgiving for what the Lord had done.

During this upcoming Thanksgiving week, praise God for all the blessings He gives to you and the rest of the nation. Celebrate with a glad, humble and thankful heart. Pray for the leaders and people of America to recognize that all good things come from the good and loving Heavenly Father.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 34:1-10

Reputation is a big deal. It’s what people believe to be true about you. It’s so important that large companies hire people to manage their reputation, and laws about slander and defamation of character have been put into place for protection. While popular opinion comes and goes, what people think about you is vital.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.

Colossians 1:3

In today’s passage, Paul addresses the reputation of the church in Colossae. In his letter, he shares his gratitude because “of [their] faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that [they] have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:4) News of their good deeds and strong faith traveled to Paul. In other words, their reputation preceded them.

Each of your national leaders has a reputation based on the laws for which they lobby and the decisions they make – both professional and personal. Thank God for those leaders who are known for their positive impact on this country – but pray, too, for those whose choices aren’t God-honoring. Finally, may all Christians care what their own reputation says about Jesus – and live in a manner worthy of the Lord.

Recommended Reading: Colossians 1:3-14

Pilots know it as the “Radius of Action” formula. When Charles Lindbergh became the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, somewhere between New York and Paris he crossed it…what laymen better know as the “point of no return.” In the case of an airplane, it means you don’t have enough fuel to return from whence you came, and therefore continuing on is the only, inevitable direction. There’s no going back.

The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him.

Ezra 8:22

Many Americans have applied the same formula to America and determined it is doomed. It is journeying, irreversibly they believe, toward God’s wrath. But is it really too late to turn around? The nation of Israel abandoned God time and again, but when they turned from their ways and cried out to Him, they found His favor once again.

As you pray today, do so confidently and boldly, asking for His hand to be placed for good on this land and its leaders. It is not too late for America – or for any nation or people who seek Him.

Recommended Reading: II Peter 3:1-9

Nehemiah was a Hebrew living in exile after his home city of Jerusalem had been destroyed. The plight of his nation weighed so heavily on him that he couldn’t ignore it. It was in his heart to rebuild God’s city of worship. Surprisingly, the pagan king he worked for agreed to help him. However, when the word got out that the tribe of Israel was re-establishing itself, enemies arose.

It displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10

An effective line of attack against Nehemiah’s work was a web of cleverly disseminated lies. Opponents accused Nehemiah of having ulterior motives to his work, namely building up the Israelite nation for a future rebellion and setting himself up as King! Time and again enemies sabotaged his work and assaulted Nehemiah personally. Regardless of the challenges, Nehemiah kept praying and continued building. Eventually the city was restored and God’s people again worshiped Him as a nation.

Today, don’t be distracted in your prayers or sidelined in your work: honor God. Remember, the agents of darkness must flea away in the face of your faithful persistence. Take the Nehemiah approach – keep working and keep praying for God to move in the lives of America’s people and citizens.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 86:8-15

Andrew Jackson once said, “Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being before whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancy of our Republic unto the present day, that He will so overrule all my intentions and actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow citizens that we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and happy people.” President Jackson did not trust in his own knowledge, but prayed for God to have His way.

You delivered me from strife with my people; you kept me as the head of the nations.

II Samuel 22:44

Like Andrew Jackson, King David knew where his help and success came from. The whole of II Samuel 22 shows David humbly praising God for deliverance from all of his enemies, including King Saul. Would that this nation’s leaders turn to God for protection and harmony among its people as David and Andrew Jackson did.

Thank God for the many people and leaders in America who still depend on the Lord. Pray that the ones who don’t will turn to Him as their refuge and support. The success of this nation still depends on God.

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 3:1-12

“Share a Coke and a smile,” is a slogan made popular by one of America’s favorite soft drinks. Win tickets to a concert and, most likely, it’ll be a pair so you can take a friend. Order a dessert and it’ll be delivered with two forks. Good things are meant to share.

He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah.”

John 1:41

In today’s passage, Andrew wanted to share a new discovery with his brother Simon. Andrew was spending time with John the Baptist when Jesus walked past. “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) John pointed out that Jesus was God’s Son. When Andrew realized the truth in John’s statement, he wanted to tell his brother the good news.

Creating a Godly heritage is more than passing your faith to your children. It’s sharing His love and grace with those who haven’t heard. It’s bringing others to know Jesus and making them brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank God today for the one who shared Christ with you. Ask your Heavenly Father to create a desire in you to reach those who aren’t a part of the family of God. Pray especially for your nation’s leaders who don’t know Him. God is too good not to share.

Recommended Reading: John 1:43-51

America has a unique heritage that is rooted in a dependence on God and His biblical principles. These principles for a godly nation were well understood by the late President Ronald Reagan when he wrote:

Keep the charge of the Lord your God, keeping his statutes…that you may prosper in all that you do.

I Kings 2:3

“To preserve our blessed land we must look to God. It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us. Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, and our friends in the defense of freedom and all mankind, now and always.”

Take a moment to thank the Lord for the Godly leaders who have helped shape this nation. Pray that Christians will elect people who love and follow Him. Intercede for all of your national and local leaders to courageously uphold scriptural principles personally and publicly.

Recommended Reading: II Samuel 7:9-15