By Charles Stanley

      COLOSSIANS 1:3-14

      July 4th is the holiday that honors the founding of the United States. The occasion is celebrated in many ways: firework displays with dazzling colors, festive parades showcasing high school bands and armed forces units, and backyard barbecues with family and friends. It is a day filled with activity.

      This 4th of July finds America in need of rescue. Our country's slide down the slippery slope of godless living has accelerated. It started years ago when we as a nation departed from the standard of God's Word; at that time, a belief system was established that separated our land from the Lord and His ways. As a nation, we are now reaping a bitter harvest from those decisions in every level of business and government, in our communities, and in our families as well.

      However, there is still hope. While we have seen our country's values change dramatically, our God has not changed. He continues to have the power to turn the nation back to Him. Scripture makes it clear that when Christ-followers obey the command to pray (Colossians 4:2), God is willing to act in response to those prayers. Since our national future is in our leaders' hands and they, in turn, are in the Lord's hands (Romans 13:1), our prayers for them can have a powerful impact.

      This July 4th, won't you add in a time of prayer for our nation? Establish a new tradition, one of appealing to God on behalf of our government's leaders. Then continue to pray until God turns our country toward trusting in Christ alone.