The Most Important Day in U.S. History
David Kubal, Intercessors for America, July 4, 2024
What was the most important day in our nation's history? Many would say July 4, 1776, and for very good reasons. We celebrate Independence Day — the day our forefathers signed one of the most important documents in history, the Declaration of Independence. Yet there was another July 4 that may be the more miraculous day: July 4, 1787.
The Revolutionary War had been fought and won at great cost. The founding fathers wisely structured a government called the Continental Congress. But by 1787, a permanent government structure for the long haul was needed.
They gathered in Philadelphia to put the structure in place and to write a constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation. It was not going well. The delegates could not agree on how states would represent themselves. This appeared to be an insurmountable obstacle that could not be overcome. Anger and tension filled the air. Some delegates walked out. Some threatened military action against other delegates. Frustration and disappointment abounded. Those who had pledged their lives and fortunes in hopes for a new nation, were now unsure their dream would ever come to pass, the outcome hanging in the balance.
On June 26th, 1787, all seemed lost. Suddenly, Ben Franklin asked to speak to the assembly. By now, he was an elder statesman known to be the least spiritual of all the founding fathers. This well-respected man walked to the front of the gathering, stopping at the podium. With great conviction and immovable resolve, he spoke to the delegates. I'll paraphrase and put it in modern English. "In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were in sensible danger, we had daily prayer in this room for divine protection. Our prayers were heard. They were graciously answered. Have we now forgotten the powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this: God governs the affairs of man."
The hall was quiet. No one dared speak. Yet, this riveting speech demanded a reaction. Therefore, a motion was immediately put forth and passed for the leaders to begin each day of deliberations with prayer and have a chaplain attend the meetings to lead this daily prayer. Additionally, they passed a motion to break and take three days to fast and pray. As the meeting adjourned that day, each man went his own way to enter into a time of prayer and fasting.
They reassembled on July 4, 1787. When they gathered, everything was different. The anger and animosity was gone. Agreeable conversations took place where ill feelings had once resided.
One of the delegates, Jonathan Dayton, wrote in his journal...every unfriendly feeling had been expelled, and the spirit of conciliation had been cultivated. Prayer triggers cooperation. Prayer releases divine solutions.
That day, they formed a committee that created the representative structure of the House of Representatives and Senate. With representation based on population (the House) and equally assigned to each state (the Senate), they called this plan the great compromise. It was the final large piece of the puzzle for the Constitution. A final draft was produced in about six weeks, and then the states ratified it.
Today, I pose the same questions to our leaders that Ben Franklin asked the Continental Congress. Are we smart enough now to not need the assistance of the Almighty? Have we forgotten our powerful friend? Why would we not want to solicit the Supreme in the affairs of this nation? Why would we not want to petition for the power of Providence to act? Why would we not entreat the eternal God for wisdom? And why would we not appeal to divine power to solve the issues of today?
Our nation was founded on prayer, and it would not be here without prayer, nor would it continue to thrive without prayer. This year, let's celebrate both July 4 days that shaped the United States of America, and let's pray that our leaders would ask God for the wisdom they need.
Father God, we pray that America would not forget You and that we would remember all that You have done for us.
David Kubal is President/CEO of Intercessors for America (IFA), which serves over one million praying Christians every month. David serves on the National Faith Advisory Board and the National Day of Prayer Task Force and is also frequently featured in national news outlets such as Victory Channel, CBN, and Fox News.
What do you think? Does Hei Hei have repressed anger towards our other rooster, energizing his need to dominate us? Does he need a therapist? Or a crockpot?
Did you know that omega 3 fatty acids like DHA & EPA protect the brain from inflammation and help foster a healthy nervous system? Maybe Hei Hei needs some? I get a good daily dose from the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture. Use promo code “ALISON” for 10% off at check out.
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I noticed water below our outdoor freezer today and opened it up to find that a lot of the meat was starting to defrost. We aren’t sure if the seal has an issue or something else is wrong but it was a very close call. Luckily we salvaged all of the meat because I caught it quickly. We had nearly a half-cow’s worth of beef inside it. It would be a big loss for anyone to have to throw away that amount of meat, but for us, it has the added layer of meaning: we raised that cow. We are grateful for the food in a way we took for granted before becoming farmers.
Thankfully the fermented cod liver/concentrated butter oil from Green Pasture doesn’t need to be frozen! Keep it with you inside your house fridge. I used to get chronic cavities and it stopped my longtime battle - I finally started getting perfect checkups at the dentist! Taking it is part of my daily routine which will now also include checking our freezers! https://greenpasture.org/
One of our chickens went downhill fast over the weekend and died Sunday morning. As is our practice, we took her out to the big oak tree in our pasture under which Freckles the horse was the first to be buried - and now rests alongside several other animals. Farming teaches so much about life and death, and I have noticed the kids do not react to it the way I always assumed kids do. My friends often ask, “How did the kids handle it?” And the answer is, “Fine, honestly.”
With this chicken, we had prayed for her Saturday night and asked God for His will to be done, petitioning that she either be healed or taken swiftly so she would not suffer. And when she died in Lily’s arms the next morning, Lily said, “well, God answered our prayers.”
Someone told me once that there are two kinds of animals on a farm, living ones and dead ones. There is no escaping the reality of death on a farm and while I spent much of my early life completely petrified of sickness and death, both TV ...
https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/breaking-gates-foundation-funds-first?
Great. Just what we don’t need. Gates really is a James Bond villain