3 Ways Christians Can Help America

On this 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, our nation is in the midst of several kinds of turmoil. For Bible-believing Christians, it can be discouraging to look around and see our country pushing away God, His Word, and everything we stand for. 

But we are neither hopeless nor helpless. We can fight back by doing the three things God has us here on earth to do. 

1. Pray

God has instructed us to pray for our nation. The most commonly quoted verse regarding prayer for a nation is 2 Chronicles 7:14, where God tells Solomon: 

"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."

Although this verse is a promise from God to Solomon, and specifically concerning the Jewish people, that same God is our God, and we are His people. He does answer when we pray, He does want us to seek His face, and He does want to forgive sin. So, I definitely think it is appropriate to use this verse as a reminder of the heart God wants behind our prayers, and of the loving attitude He has towards His people. 

We should also pray for America because of 1 Timothy 2:1-4

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

This brings us to the second way we as Christians can help our country:

2. Give the Gospel

The answer to all the turmoil we see in our nation today is the gospel. Our nation will only change if individual citizens change, and God is the only One who can change the individuals. What our nation needs is for people to accept Christ as Savior and know the peace that forgiveness brings. 

3. Live the Gospel

How are people going to see that God has the power to deliver them from their guilt, shame, anger, fear, disappointment, addiction, worry, bitterness, or anything else, if we don't show them by living in the power of the gospel ourselves? 

Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Because Christ is risen, we have newness of life; not just in heaven, but right here, right now. That newness of life should characterize our daily lives. --After all, we are the light of the world. Matthew 5:16 says "Let your life so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

We can help America by simply being the Christians God wants us to be, praying for our nation, and sharing the gospel. 

So, as you celebrate the founding of our nation, remember that the future of America depends on you and me and our relationships, both with God and with our fellow Americans.