The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.  It stated that the thirteen American colonies were “Free and Independent States”.  It essentially dissolved the political connection between the thirteen colonies and Great Britain. 
         Our Founding Fathers acknowledged God as the source of our rights in that founding document and I quote:
          “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the consent of the governed – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and happiness…
          For the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred honor.”
          As we celebrate the birth of our nation I invite you to join me and pray:
1….giving thanks and praise to the Lord, for He is the giver of freedom (Psalm 146:7).  May we honor Him and live as He would have us live.
2…..asking the Lord to bless our nation with leaders who know His Word and are submitted to Him as Lord. (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
3…for governing leaders from our local Mayor and Council, to county representatives, to state representatives, to federal representatives….for God desires all to come into the Kingdom of God. (1 Tim. 2: 4-6)

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

Some material above taken from: In God We Still Trust, A 365 – Day Devotional by
Dr. Richard G. Lee, Countryman, A division of Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010.