Days of fasting and prayer have roots deep in American history. Colonists declared Days of Prayer during droughts, Indian attacks and threats from other nations. Edward Winslow, author and historian of the Pilgrims’ experiences, wrote: “Drought and the like considerations moved not only every good man privately to enter into examination with his own estate between God and his conscience, and so to humiliation before Him, but also to humble ourselves together before the Lord by Fasting and Prayer.”
On May 24, 1774, Thomas Jefferson drafted a Resolution for a “Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer” to be observed as the British blockaded the Boston Harbor. The following resolution, introduced by Robert Carter Nicholas, passed unanimously: “This House, being deeply impressed with apprehension of the great dangers, to be derived to British America, from the hostile invasion of the City of Boston, in our sister Colony of Massachusetts… deem it highly necessary that the said first day of June be set apart, by the members of this House as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, devoutly to implore the Divine interposition, for averting the heavy calamity which threatens destruction to our civil rights.” The British blockade was a huge failure as it only caused the thirteen colonies to unite in prayer, fasting, and resolution to become a free nation. Our civil rights and freedom to worship is once again being threatened, and God’s people must come together in a time of prayer and fasting. The upcoming election may be the most important one in American history.
This past Sunday evening our Pastor issued a call to action for every member and attendee of our church. We were encouraged to spend time in prayer and fasting over the next 40 days leading up to the election on November 3. Political unrest, protests, riots, severe storms, and the pandemic have led to an extremely anxious year. The future of our great country is questionable and uncertain. We must take a page from our founding fathers and commit ourselves to prayer and fasting during the next 40 days. We must humbly and sincerely pray, confessing our own sins and those of our great nation. We must ask God to help us show the world that IN GOD WE TRUST is more than a motto. We must pray for God’s intervention during this critical time in our country. We must pray for America!
“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 Chron 7:14).