OsceolaNDP.org - 2008 National Day of Prayer Winning Essay

2008 NDP winning essay submitted by Stephen Lee: 10th Grade, Heritage Christian School

    What does "Prayer! America's strength and shield" mean to me? To me, it is a critical element to survival in a troubling world. Our history of greatness shows it. Sadly, liberalism has corrupted the strong fundamentals that made America great. It is the Christians' responsibility to keep America looking toward God.

    Our history definitely shows the presence of God and prayer. George Washington, our first President, prayed at Valley Forge, and he and his men survived. Abraham Lincoln took time almost daily to pray with his officers and he reunited this nation when it was divided. As many more conservative Christians came to American government, the economy grew to its peak.

    Unfortunately, liberalism has destroyed many of our godly foundations. John Dewey founded progressive education saying children should be allowed to revert to their animal instincts as told by Charles Darwin, founder of Evolution. Madelyn Murray O'Hair used the Supreme Court to remove prayer and the Bible from pubic schools. Since then, immorality continued to rise and the economy suffered. Even today, people are trying to take away all laws made by Christianity. The desire to be free from the truth of God is foolish!

    It is our responsibility as Christians to try to return prayer and God to our society. As "the light of the world"(Matthew 5:14-16) we should try to do whatever we can in government, such as praying for our government officers. Praying is the most important thing we can do knowing that our heavenly Father hears us. We can do anything with the help of God!
    As we continue as a nation, I hope that we will turn back to prayer. If we do, the God will put his shield of protection over us again.

America, the choice is yours!