No matter how hard they try, those who hate this country cannot erase our history.
Those who say that America is not a Christian nation and that the Founding Fathers were non-religious, or even atheistic, are either ignorant or purposely deceptive. But they cannot bury our history that easily; too much has been written to get away with it — unless we let them!
There are many documented statements of our Founding Fathers expressing their faith in God and their belief in Jesus Christ at the foundation of this Republic. In this post, I am going to share a statement from one of them who many believe was a deist (he was), but who I personally believe also came to faith from his relationship with evangelist George Whitefield.
During the Constitutional Convention, there was nothing but chaos for weeks. The delegates of the 13 colonies, which had united together in the struggle for independence just years earlier, fought with each other, concerned only about their respective states.
Benjamin Franklin had been mostly silent during the proceedings, but a group implored him to give his voice to the delegates. Franklin’s remarks were recorded during the Constitutional Convention in 1787:
In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance.
I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. 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, Sir, in the sacred writings that “except the Lord build the House they labor in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.
Franklin was 81 years of age, older than most people lived during that time. I believe his words were Holy Spirit inspired. Prove me wrong!
I would encourage every Patriot to watch the recent film “A Great Awakening.” Although you may take issue with some of it, the film vividly recalls the relationship between George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin.
If a Great Awakening happened once before, can it happen again? I believe so.
Something to earnestly pray about.
Semper Fidelis
