As we celebrate the birthday of this nation, it seemed good to remember how God brought this nation into being and reflect on His mercy. The following are excerpts from Miracles in American History 32 Amazing Stories of Answered Prayer by Susie Federer.
The following was written by John Adams in 1774.
“When Congress met, Mr Cushing made a motion that it should be opened with prayer. Next morning Re. Mr. Duche’. . . read several prayers . . .and . . . the 35th Psalm. . . I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning. After this, Mr. Duche’, unexpectedly to everybody, struck out into an extemporary prayer, which filled the bosom of every man present. I must confess, I never heard a better prayer. “
On April 15, 1775, John Hancock declared.
“In circumstances dark as these, it becomes us, as men andChristians, to reflect that, whilst every prudent measure should be taken to ward off the impending judgments. . . the 11th of May next be set apart as a Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. . . to confess their sins. . .to implore the Forgiveness of all our Transgression.”
“April 19, 1775, Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumball proclaimed a Day of Fasting, that: ‘God would graciously pour out His Holy Spirit on us to bring us to a thorough repentance and effectual reformation that our iniquities may not be our ruin; that He would restore, preserve and secure the liberties of this and all the other British American colonies, and make the land a mountain of Holiness, and habitation of righteousness forever.”
Days of prayers and fasting were called many times when difficulties were being faced. Here is a partial list: John Hancock, June 12, 1775, the Georgia Provincial Congress on July 5, 1775, March 6, 1776 General George Washington called for the 7th to be a day of fasting and prayer, March 16 1776 by General William Livingston.
If March 16, 1776 was not in your history books, the following day, British General Howe gave the order to all his troops to board the ships and they evacuated Boston.
Repentance and prayer are important aspects of our walk. We have examples in the Bihle of men who repented, fasted and prayed and God changed the course that mankind was following. One of the best examples is the book of Jonah.
Jonah reluctantly went to Ninevah at God’s request to preach a warning of the coming destruction of the city because due to their evil. Jonah was convinced the city was so evil that they would never repent. When the king heard what Jonah was preaching, he tore his clothes and led the nation in repenting.
We need to remember the men that came before us and their desire for a goldy nation and be thankful. We also need to follow their example by repenting, confessing our sins, fasting and praying for God’s mercy.