Dependence Day – The Presidential Prayer Team

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. – Psalm 127:1

Concerning the celebration of Independence Day, John Adams stated, “It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” It seems most citizens participate in these activities, except for the part about acts of devotion to God.

In the United States, citizens are free to worship whomever they choose or believe in no god at all. However, Christians know that the blessings this country has enjoyed come from God. He promised blessings upon the people who put Him first, but those who shun Him endure hardship. Today’s verse shows the futility of depending on man’s power over God’s power and protection. Humans may think they can be autonomous in ruling themselves, but God is ultimately in control.

It may distress you that many governing officials as well as citizens deny faith in God and even fight against it. The religious liberty that used to be the standard in the United States has been consistently undermined. But God still answers prayers and He is trustworthy. No matter what the government does, those who hope in Christ have hope both now and in the future.

Today, as you celebrate the Fourth of July, cover the country in prayer, looking to God for restoration and the renewed freedom that comes through His truth. As the United States commemorates its independence from England, remember to acknowledge your dependence on God.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 127:1

Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Daniel 9:4-10, 17-19

⁴I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. ⁶We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. ⁷To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. ⁸To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. ⁹To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him ¹⁰and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

¹⁷Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon your sanctuary, which is desolate. ¹⁸O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.”