The U.S revolutionary war with Great Britain was over. Tens of thousands of men were dead—-all for the cause of a free republic that had come to be called the United States of America. The Founding Fathers of this great republic were gathered in Philadelphia to try to work out a critical document—a document that would evolve into the Constitution of the United States of America

At that Constitutional Convention, on June 28, 1787, 81 year old statesman Benjamin Franklin addressed George Washington, President of the Convention with this speech:

“Mr. President:

The small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance and continual reasonings with each other–our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom since we have been running about in search of it…

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has this happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights, to illuminate our understanding? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?

I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth–that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the Sacred Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and byword to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move–that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service.”

It should be noted that Franklin was one of the least religious members of the Founding Fathers. Given that—-still—-he saw the need for prayer and thanks.

God and Christian bashing have become quite popular these days. It seems that many have actually willed themselves to forget and/or ignore the millions of people who gave their lives so that this country could be and remain free. It seems that they have forgotten/ignored the truth that without God’s blessing, the U.S.A would never have become the great republic it did become.

So–ask yourself this: are you willing to ignore these facts? If so, are you confident that, if you do–and if many others who are continuing to do–that we will remain free? Are you willing to bet your freedom on that? Are you willing to bet your life on it?

Think about it, and—-remember.

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