Very nice...thank you BOTH!!!
Indeed these are 'the times' ..... right now in 2012. Although the process has been ongoing for years, it has become ever more apparent in the events of the last three years and crystal clear in the last two weeks, that everything our Founding Fathers fought for and obtained for us at the cost of their "lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" 236 years ago, has almost slipped away from our grasp.
Tyranny has returned. Its most recent manifestation is the DHS ruling that has put the government squarely between our First Amendment rights and our religion. The government would force us to go against our conscience and our God. The government has been gradually taking away from us our 'unalienable Rights', those endowed to us by our Creator ..... life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Those are not rights given by the government, but given to us as a gift from God.
Paine said in 'The Crisis':
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God." (Note: wherever you see "Britain" just substitute "U.S. Government")
Plain and simple, we have waited too long to act and the penalty for our acquiescence over the years, our mostly silent acceptance of the imposition of tyranny, is that we are going to have to pay the high price for FREEDOM again. Now we shall have to fight to take our country back, but when will 'We the People" have the will to fight? As Patrick Henry said, in his 'Liberty or Death' speech:
"They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength but irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? ........ The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged!"
The "delusive phantom of hope". Patrick Henry, in 1775, makes a better argument than our politicians in 2012 against the brand of "hope" we've been force-fed for the last three years. The time is NOW. As Jim Robinson says, "the Rebellion is ON, join or die." It's not a platitude, it's the TRUTH. Churchill said:
"Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."
So what does all this have to do with a prayer thread? It's been a bit of a hike to get here, but the bottom line is that our very souls are at stake, as is the soul of America. Are we going to betray God and continue to go along to get along with what we know is evil and wicked? God says "But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it.” (Jeremiah 12:17) God also says "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."(2 Chronicles 7:14)
We need God's help. We cannot do this alone. We are God's soldiers in this fight against the evil and wickedness that has invaded the very fabric of our culture and is bringing America to her knees. We need to get on our knees to keep America off of hers. God is with us, He loves us, He loves this country and has blessed it. Let us gather ourselves in prayer and then commit ourselves to action.
Almighty God, we are calling your name. We humbly beg your forgiveness for the wickedness we have allowed to pervade our country and our lives. We are sorry, more sorry that we can say, for allowing your gifts of life and liberty to be so badly squandered, but you know our hearts and can see the sorrow and contrition we feel, even as we struggle with the words. Please forgive us. We ask for your help in reclaiming our country and returning it to a country that serves and pleases you. While we are your soldiers in this fight, we cannot do it alone. We need your help and Divine guidance to defeat the evil that has overtaken us. Help us find within ourselves and among our people the Courage, Strength, and the Will to break and throw off the chains of tyranny that are being forged to enslave us. Dear Lord, hear our prayer as we call upon you in our time of need. Come to the aid of your people and our nation and deliver us from evil. We acknowledge that yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory now and for ever as we pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.