BIRTH OF A NATION

This is a month to recognize and celebrate the victory of our forefathers in the founding of the United States of America. Without their bravery and sacrifices, America would still be a series of thirteen British colonies and under their rule. Ever since that time, our military has fought and won many battles to keep America free.

WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN?

Most of the men who fought to free America were not professional soldiers. They were ordinary men who left homes and families behind them to join the cause for independence. They suffered many hardships. Our school textbooks tell us how they had to walk barefoot in the snow because they didn’t have adequate clothing. Their general, George Washington lamented these conditions and made many attempts to intercede on behalf of his brave Continental Army.

The Valley Forge Letter

Library of Congress: George Washington Papers

“For many Americans today, freedom means personal autonomy—the ability to do what we want, when we want…But the men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776 did not sacrifice their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor for such a shallow, libertine definition. They fought not for unrestrained freedom, but for liberty—something deeper, more virtuous, and more accountable—under God’s authority…The founders declared not merely their independence from a tyrannical king, but an allegiance to a higher authority…Their appeal was not to majority rule or human invention, but to God’s eternal, moral order…This Fourth of July, let us do more than celebrate national independence. Let us remember the spiritual foundations of our liberty. Let us teach our families and our churches that freedom apart from God leads only to chaos. But liberty under God—ordered, moral, and true—is a gift worth defending.”

“…a free society depends on virtuous citizens. The founders knew this. So did the Pilgrims before them. The Mayflower Compact, the first covenant of self-government in America, declared their intent to ‘advance the Christian faith’ and form a society governed under God.”

Jenna Ellis, host of Jenna Ellis in the Morning, weekdays at 7 AM Central on American Family Radio.

Thomas Jefferson emphasized that “…liberty must rest on a moral foundation.” John Adams stated “…our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

The phrase ‘separation of church and state’ is not in the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. It’s from an 1802 letter by Thomas Jefferson.

“The First Amendment’s reference to religion has two parts. The first says, ‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.’ In other words, America wasn’t going to have a national church…The second part says that Congress shall make no law ‘prohibiting the free exercise’ of religion. Government has to keep its hands off its citizens’ religion…People are free to exercise their faith in all matters of public interest, and the government shall not interfere…Contrary to what the godless say, what most Christians today need is freer exercise of religion…we should exercise our faith freely and boldly! And if we don’t, we can be sure someone else will…Nature abhors a vacuum, and likewise culture will inevitably follow the lead of one worldview or another. Sooner or later, someone’s values will dominate in the public square.” Born to Be Brave: How to Be Part of America’s Spiritual Comeback. Kirk Cameron. Post Hill Press. New York/Nashville. posthillpress.com

HOW WILL GEN Z REMEMBER OUR HISTORY?

American generational milestone moments:

The Greatest Generation, born 1901-1927 (remember VE Day?)

The Silent Generation, born 1928-1945 (remember Pearl Harbor?)

Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964 (remember the assassination of JFK?)

Gen X, born 1965-1980 (remember when the space shuttle Challenger exploded?)

Millennials, born 1981-1996 (remember 9/11?)

Gen Z, born 1997-2012 (remember Covid-19?)

“Generation Z was the first generation to view the world as inherently unsafe [due to] economic crises, inflation, fear of school shootings, political incivility, and global unrest. Gen Z lives at the speed of a smartphone…which delivers all of the world’s bad news in an instant…

Enter Covid-19, in which everything Gen Z knew about the world and expected in their growing-up years was taken away…The result is a generation of children who experienced social, emotional, or psychological injuries that will leave an indelible imprint for years to come…[but] Gen Z has many strengths…tech-savvy, fiscally conscious, entrepreneurial spirit…increasingly value tradition, privacy, and freedom for expressions of faith.

…As you celebrate America’s birthday…also celebrate the strengths of each generation, and share the unshakeable freedom you have in Christ. That’s a generational moment worth sharing and an eternal legacy worth preserving.”

Dr. Jessica Peck, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Author, Speaker, Host of The Doctor Nurse Mama Show, weekdays at 2 PM Central on American Family Radio.

Quotations are from The Stand magazine, Volume 49, No. 6. Fair Use.

IN GOD WE TRUST

“Adopted by Congress in 1956, “In God We Trust” is the official motto of the United States. The motto, though threatened by many entities since its adoption, stands as a rallying cry for those who believe in the Christian founding of America. Since 1977, American Family Association has been reminding Americans that the blessings of our nation have come from God’s gracious hand as we have trusted Him.” American Family Association.

INDEPENDENCE DAY PRAYER

“Dear Father, we bow before you, acknowledging You as Creator and King of all…We thank You for calling into being the United States of America. We are grateful for the godly foundation led by men and women of faith who built into the very fabric of our country a commitment to freedom that was seen as being a gift from You. Thank You for the sacrifice of so many through the years who gave time, effort, and sometimes their very lives to preserve and protect that freedom.

“We realize that we have fallen short. We have increasingly depended on our own strength and wisdom rather than that which comes from above. We have often catered to the wealthy, and ignored the needs of the poor and afflicted. We have failed to accept all life as a gift from You, and we have treated the unborn, the ill, and the elderly with increasing contempt. Despite our stated values of equality and justice, we continue to harbor racism and injustice within our society. Most of all, we have turned our back on You, and sought to live as though You were not.

“Lord, we repent! Please pour out a spirit of repentance on our nation. Help us to turn from sin and turn back to You. As we seek Your face, would You revive Your people once again? Would you empower Your church in this nation to be the salt and light you have called us to be? Would you enable us to love You with all our mind, heart, soul and strength, and to love one another deeply with kindness and goodness? Transform us into image-bearers of Christ who bring honor and glory to our Father whenever we speak or act.

“Father, we recommit our nation to Your purposes and Your glory. May America be a nation whose God is the Lord.

“In the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.”

Adapted from a prayer written by the late Dave Butts, co-founder Harvest Prayer Ministries. Printed in The Stand magazine July 2025.

RECOMMENDED BOOK:

Forefathers Monument Guidebook: A Guide to the Monument and The People Who Inspired It. “Michelle Gallagher brings to life the history and symbolism of one of America’s most profound national monuments.”

HELPFUL WEBSITES:

The Stand – A publication of American Family Association.

Jenna Ellis in the Morning aims to provide valuable commentary on the issues of our day and to do so from both a biblical and constitutional perspective. She also hosts “On Demand with Jenna Ellis” podcast for AFR and is the author of “The Legal Basis for a Moral Constitution.” She holds a B.A. in technical journalism from Colorado State University and a J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law. Follow her on social media @realJennaEllis on X and @jennaellismedia on Facebook and Instagram.

Matt Wilson is a Tupelo-based attorney who occasionally writes for The Stand and is the author of The Godly Path of Least Resistance: A Step-by-Step Guide for Living By the Lord’s Prayer.

Harvest Prayer Ministries exists to equip the local church to become a House of Prayer for all nations, releasing God’s power for revival and finishing the task of world evangelization.

A ministry to help persons come to faith in Jesus Christ. 888.633.3446.

Help for military families.

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