Another  Independence Day has come and gone. I’m grateful to have been able to celebrate it, even though I was born “under the crown” and still sing “God Save the Queen” from time to time. But as I shared the joy of America’s history and how God has so greatly used her for good over the years, I also continue to grieve over how America is increasingly becoming INDEPENDENT from God. This verse keeps going over and over in my mind… “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). God have mercy on us.

I know I’ve shared this prayer last October, but I think it is one we need to be reminded of again.

“O Father, heal our nation, Lord would you stay your hand.
In wrath remember mercy, please Lord, please heal our land.
We know we’ve deeply grieved you, we’ve sinned and brought you shame.
O Father God, forgive us, we pray in Jesus name.

“Our nation, Lord, is crumbling, it’s crumbling from within.
And we have watched it happen, O Lord forgive our sin.
The wound is deep and bleeding, and band-aids will not do.
O God, for major surgery, we turn our hearts to you.

“You said if we would humble ourselves and seek your face.
You said if we would pray Lord, and turn from sin’s disgrace,
That you would hear from heaven, that you would stay your hand.
O Lord, we cry for mercy, O God, please heal our land.”

* 2 Chronicles 7:13-14