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eee **3\4 MERICA?
>% In the days of the Civil War, a personal
friend of Abraham Lincoln was a visitor at the
White House. “I had been spending three weeks
with Mr. Lincoln as his guest. One night—it was
just after the Battle of Bull Run—I was restless
and could not sleep . . . from the private room
where the president slept, I heard low tones, for
the door was partly open. Instinctively I wan-
dered in, and there I saw a sight which I have
never forgotten. It was the president, kneeling
before an open Bible .. . his back was toward
me. I shall never forget his prayer: ‘Oh, thou
God, that heard Solomon in the night when he
prayed and cried for wisdom, hear me. I cannot
lead these people, I cannot guide the affairs of
this nation without Thy help. .. . O God, hear
me and save this nation.’ ”
George Washington, our first president, who
prayed in the snow at Walley Forge said, ‘The
event is in the hands of God.” When the tide of
battle was unfavorable, Washington said, “How
will it end? God will direct.”
When the leaders of our country assembled to
write the constitution, it was proposed by Ben-
jamin Franklin that each session be opened with
prayer. Franklin said, “I have lived a long time,
and the longer I live the more convincing proof
I see of this truth—that God governs the affairs
of men, And if a sparrow cannot fall to the
ground without His notice, is it possible that an
empire can rise without His aid?”
Our nation today is great because it was
founded by men who feared God and men who
believed in prayer. But in our generation, prayer
has been replaced by political intrigue, material-
ism and a mistaken notion that our private and
national affairs can be run without God.
Today our American way of life is threatened
from within and from all sides. The dangers fac-
ing our country and the entire world are so great
that they cannot be taken lightly.
Here and there throughout America, voices are
heard as individuals and groups begin to call on
God in prayer. Young evangelist Billy Graham's
voice is heard as he calls the nation and individ-
uals to repentance, to faith in Christ and to
prayer.
But this whole nation must be moved to
prayer. So great are the dangers, so grave the
perils, so tremendous the political problems, so
important the election issues, that it is impera-
tive that we lay hold upon the Lord God in
prayer for His will.
Yes, prayer can save America! But we cannot
really lay hold upon a holy God until we have
come to know Him as our Father. So that we
might know Him, the loving Father sent His Son
to be the Saviour: “For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son, that who-
soever believeth in Him should not perish, but
have everlasting life. ... As many as received
him, to them gave He power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on His Name”
Cohn 3:16; 1:12).
Yes, prayer can save America. There is only
one way out, and that is up! If we do not turn to
God, we will be enveloped by godless Com-
munism, It is either revival or ruin! It is now or
never! The answer will not be found in the U.N.
or NATO. The answer will be found only when
we are spiritually awakened and call upon the
Lord our God. Spiritual values must be restored.
We must return to the faith of our fathers, to the
God of our mothers—and to the family altar with
its prayer.
Let's each one lay hold of this tremendous
promise given by God: “If my people, which are
called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin,and will heal their land
(II Chronicles 7:14).
—C ype H. DENNIS
GOOD NEWS PUBLISHERS, Westchester, III. 2K10
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