In his address to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, 1787, Benjamin Franklin stated, in part:  “God governs in the affairs of man.  And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?  We have been assured in the Sacred Writings that except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.  I firmly believe this.

“I also believe that, without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

I firmly believe this as well.  I also believe that if we don’t seek the Lord’s guidance and protection, the house will surely crumble.

The National Day of Prayer association has a “Pray for Election Day!” campaign which is an effort to remind people of faith of the importance of praying for those in leadership.  

“First, we must repent for the personal and corporate sins that grieve our Heavenly Father.”  (See 2 Chronicles 7:14)  

“Second, we must ask that God would raise up righteous leaders, who will seek His guidance and protection for our nation in the years to come.”  (See Ephesians 4:1-2)  

“Finally, we must submit to God’s sovereignty, trusting in His will.”  (See Proverbs 3:5-6)  

A quote from Thomas Jefferson is inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial in our nation’s capital:  “The God who gave us life gave us liberty.  And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God?”  

The further we remove the conviction that liberties are a gift from God, the less secure our Nation will be.

Janet Roberson

Courtland