WILL AMERICA SURVIVE WITHOUT ANOTHER GREAT SPIRITUAL AWAKENING?

America's Founding Fathers, without exception, would be appalled at the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.  The Founders, even the so-called nonreligious ones, believed Christian morality and virtue to be necessary for a stable and prosperous society. This is what John Adams was referring to when he said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.” This is why, in a circular letter addressed to the states in 1783, George Washington prayed that God would bind the nation together and grant its citizens “the social and personal virtues necessary for its survival.”

Christian Morality & the Founding of America

Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago this week, the United States of America was formed out of a great Spiritual awakening that had swept over the 13 Colonies. All the Founders, to one degree or another, were impacted by this Awakening, and all agreed that Christianity was necessary to restrain evil and produce a stable and prosperous society. The Founders knew that a people not restrained by religious conviction would turn liberty into licentiousness and freedom into anarchy. Professor Barry Shain has quoted a host of writers from the founding generation demonstrating that they believed that “when sin abounds, natural liberty ends.” 

As evidence of the Founders commitment to the morality of the Bible, one need look no further than Benjamin Franklin, generally considered one of the most nonreligious of America’s Founding Fathers. In his Autobiography, Franklin reported that his hometown of Philadelphia had been completely transformed by the Awakening in 1739. He wrote, “From being thoughtless or indifferent about religion, it seemed as if all the world were growing religious so that one could not walk through the town in an evening without hearing psalms sung in different families of every street (Hyatt, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, 30).

Franklin described this moral transformation of Philadelphia as “wonderful.” He also became a close, life-long friend with the most famous preacher of the Awakening, George Whitefield. The impact on Franklin was obvious when Thomas Paine, the well-known Deist, sent him a manuscript copy of a book in which he attacked historic Christianity. Franklin, in very strong language, advised him to burn the manuscript, saying, “If men are so wicked with religion [Christianity], what would they be if without it” (Hyatt, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, 45). Franklin, like every other Founder, believed Christian morality to be necessary for the restraint of evil and a stable, prosperous society.

In New England Jonathan Edwards reported that his hometown of Northampton, MA seemed to be “full of the presence of God.” Everywhere in the town—in homes, on the streets, in places of business—people were discussing the things of God and eternity. He said that if a person was encountered that seemed to be spiritually indifferent it would be spoken of as a strange thing (Hyatt, America’sRevival Heritage, 35). Similar awakenings were reported in the Middle and Southern Colonies.

The Impact of the Great Awakening

These local and regional revivals were drawn together in one Divine inferno of Spiritual awakening through the incessant travels and ministry of Whitefield who arrived in America in 1739 with a burden for the spiritual well-being of the Colonists and a prayer that they would not live as 13 scattered Colonies but as “one nation under God.”

As he traveled up and down the eastern seaboard, shop-keepers closed their doors, farmers left their plows, and workers threw down their tools to hurry to the place where he was to preach. Crowds of 8-10 thousand were common. At a time when the population of Boston was estimated at 17,000, Whitefield preached to an estimated crowd of 25,000 on the Boston Common. Entire towns, it seemed, were repenting and turning to God.

The Great Awakening broke down sectarian, denominational and ethnic walls. When the population of Philadelphia was around 13,000, Whitefield preached from the courthouse steps of the city to an estimated crowd of 12,000 people of all denominations and theological persuasions. Franklin, who was part of that number, said, “The multitudes of all sects and denominations that attended his sermons were enormous” (Hyatt, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, 30).

Whitefield, who was ordained with the Anglican Church, ministered to people of all denominations and called them to Christ, not to a particular church or denomination. He exhorted the masses to stop being divided by “names” and live as Christians in word and deed. This became a common theme of the preachers of the Awakening and it served to bring a sense of oneness and comradery throughout the colonies. John Wingate Thornton declared, “To the pulpit we owe the moral force that won our independence.”

The Bible & Prayer at the First Continental Congress

The “moral force” of the Awakening showed itself at the First Continental Congress in 1774 that met in Philadelphia to decide how to respond to Britain’s growing hostilities including the recent occupation of Boston by British soldiers and the closing of its port.

At the beginning of the Congress it was proposed that they begin their deliberations each day with prayer. Two delegates opposed the motion on the grounds that they were such a diverse religious group—Anglicans, Puritans, Presbyterians, Quakers, etc.--that it would be impossible for them to pray together.

Samuel Adams, a Puritan from Boston, arose and said that he was not a bigoted man and that he could join in prayer with any person of piety and virtue who loved his country. He went on to say that although he was a stranger to Philadelphia he had heard of an Anglican minister, a Rev. Dusche, who was such a man and proposed that they invite him to come and lead them in prayer.

Adams proposal was approved and the elderly, grey-haired Dusche was asked to preside over a time of Bible reading and prayer. As he stood before the Congress, Dusche read the entire 35^th Psalm, which powerfully impacted everyone present. It is a prayer of David for deliverance and begins with the words, Plead my cause O LORD with those who strive against me; fight against those who fight against me. The Psalm ends with praise for God’s deliverance.

After reading the Psalm, Dusche began praying for the delegates and for America and especially for the city of Boston and its inhabitants who were under siege. As he began praying, the Anglicans, such as George Washington and Richard Henry Lee, knelt in prayer according to their custom. The Puritans, according to their custom, sat with bowed heads. Others prayed according to their own unique custom but there was a singleness of heart and purpose as they all united in prayer for God’s assistance and intervention for America.

A unique sense of God’s presence filled the room and tears flowed from many eyes. John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail of the impact of the Bible reading and prayer on the delegates. He said;

Who can realize the emotions with which they turned imploringly to heaven for divine interposition and aid. It was enough to melt a heart of stone. I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seems as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read that day. I saw tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave pacific Quakers of Philadelphia. I must beg you to read that Psalm (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 69).

God & Morality in America's Founding

The Great Awakening had prepared the American Colonists for this moment in time by breaking down sectarian walls and giving the scattered Colonists a united sense of identity and purpose—“one nation under God as Whitefield had prayed.” It had also bound them together as a people who carried a sense of religious conviction of their moral responsibility before God to live according to Biblical precepts.

Two years later this Congress issued the Declaration of Independence declaring America a free and sovereign state. The late Harvard professor, Perry Miller, was correct when he said, “The Declaration of Independence of 1776 was a direct result of the preaching of the evangelists of the Great Awakening.”

During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress issued no less than fifteen proclamations of “humiliation and prayer” calling on all Americans to set aside particular days to fast and pray for God’s assistance to their cause. The proclamation of 1779 urged the nation “humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God” to ask “that He would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion [Christianity] and virtue.”

When Washington accepted the call to serve as commander-in-chief of the ragtag Colonial forces, he immediately brought a moral discipline to the ranks. He issued an order that there was to be no drunkenness or profanity and that each day was to begin with prayer led by the officers of each unit. Henry Muhlenberg, pastor of a Lutheran church in the area of Valley Forge where Washington and his troops were camped during the winter of 1777-78, was able to observe many of their activities. He wrote, “Washington rode around among his army yesterday and admonished each and every one to fear God.”

There is no question that America was birthed out of prayer and a great Spiritual awakening. Every Founder, without exception, acknowledged God’s hand at work in bringing forth this nation. Every Founder also believed that Biblical morality to be necessary for a stable and successful nation. In fact, George Washington, in his Farewell Address, referred to Christianity and morality as “indispensable supports that lead to political prosperity” and he warned against those who would attempt to “subvert these great pillars of human happiness.”

Will America Survive?

Can a nation that was birthed in prayer and Spiritual awakening long endure when it has removed acknowledgment of God from just about every area of public life? Can such a nation long endure that no longer recognizes Christian values and believes that it is the state, not God, that has the power to give and take away rights?

Another “nonreligious” Founder, who was also impacted by the Great Awakening, has a sobering message for contemporary America. Thomas Jefferson wrote;

God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and that His justice cannot sleep forever (Hyatt, America’s Revival Heritage, 75).

At this very moment America is being destroyed from within by the rejection of the Biblical absolutes and moral values on which it was founded. At the same time, enemies from without are looking for the opportunity to destroy us and our way of life. This is a pattern that has been repeated throughout history--weakened from within and then destroyed from without.

The history of nations would inform us that the America we have known—the land of the free and the home of the brave—will cease to exist unless there is another Great Spiritual Awakening that turns the heart of the nation back to God. 

It can happen. If My people . . ..

Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is an author, historian and revivalist with a passion to see Spiritual awakening in America and throughout the world. His books are available from Amazon and from his website bookstore at www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html. His latest book is entitled The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, which shows the Benjamin Franklin the Left does not want you to know.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S PROPHETIC WARNING TO THOMAS PAINE

I would give worlds, if I had them, if The Age of Reason had never been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! Stay with me! It is hell to be left alone.

These were the dying words of the well-known, eighteenth century American Deist, Thomas Paine. Interestingly, Benjamin Franklin warned Paine of such pain and regret if he persisted in attacking historic Christianity. This warning by Franklin was prompted by Paine sending him a manuscript copy of The Age of Reason, or one of similar content.

Paine sent the manuscript to Franklin because Franklin was a printer and because he knew of Franklin’s fondness for Deism. By this time, however, Franklin had moved away from his former Deistic thinking through the influence of the Great Awakening (1726-1770) and his friendship with the most famous preacher of the Awakening, George Whitefield.

Franklin and Whitefield had become close friends beginning with Whitefield’s first visit to Philadelphia in 1739. They were not only friends, but also business partners with Franklin taking on the task of printing and distributing Whitefield’s sermons. Franklin once said to his brother James, a printer in Boston, “Whitefield is a good man and I love him.”

It seems that Paine was one person who rejected the positive influences of the Great Awakening. He continued to attack Christianity and push Deism. Although it is not clear, some think the manuscript he sent to Franklin was The Age of Reason, which was later printed and became quite popular and influenced many away from historic Christianity.

Deism, which became very popular in Europe during the 18^th century, did not deny the existence of a deity, but insisted that if such existed he was not concerned about his creation. The god of the Deist was like the proverbial clockmaker who made a clock, wound it up, and then left it to run on its own. Because they rejected the Bible as a source of revelation, the Deist also denied orthodox Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the deity of Christ and a future judgement with eternal rewards and punishments. Prayer was meaningless and miracles did not happen.

Although Deism gained some notoriety in colonial America, it never gained the popularity it did in Europe. One big reason was the Great Awakening, which directed the attention of the American populace back to the God of the Bible. This was the experience of Franklin who moved away from Deism and back to his Puritan roots as a result of the Awakening and his friendship with Whitefield.

Franklin read Paine’s manuscript in which he attacked the idea of a providential, caring God and other aspects of orthodox Christian doctrine. He responded in very strong language, urging Paine not to print the book or even allow anyone else to see it. He warned;

I would advise you, therefore . . . to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification by the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion [Christianity], what would they be if without it (Hyatt, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, 50).

Franklin’s words predicting regret and repentance for Pain if he persisted in attacking Christianity proved to be prophetic. Many years later, on his deathbed in England, Paine expressed deep regret for writing and publishing The Age of Reason. While in the throes of death, he lamented;

I would give worlds, if I had them, if The Age of Reason had never been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! Stay with me! It is hell to be left alone (Hyatt, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, 50). 

This example is merely one of many that demonstrate how Benjamin Franklin, America’s so-called “nonreligious” Founder, was a defender of historic Christianity and believed its values necessary for a stable and prosperous society. I pray that those today, who would destroy America’s Christian foundations, will heed the warning of America’s nonreligious founder.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt’s latest book, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin. This book, which challenges many traditional ideas about Franklin and America’s origins, is available in both Kindle and hard copy from Amazon and from the “Revive America” online bookstore at www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.

       

RECLAIMING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S VISION FOR A CHRISTIAN AMERICA

Late one night about twelve weeks ago, while sitting and enjoying the quietness and solitude, I heard the voice of the Lord in my heart giving me instructions to do something for which I had had no interest or desire. I heard the Holy Spirit instructing me to write a book about Benjamin Franklin.

I was familiar with Franklin through general historical studies. Through researching the Great Awakening I had also learned of his friendship with George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Great Awakening. Still, I had no thought of researching the life of the skeptical printer from Pennsylvania, generally considered to be, along with Thomas Jefferson, the most nonreligious of America’s Founding Fathers.

But hearing the voice of the Lord in my heart produced an excitement and desire for the project. The project is now completed, and at the time of this writing, the book is at the printer with a release date of around July 10 (The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin).

As a result of carrying out this assignment, I came to realize why understanding Benjamin Franklin is so important for America today. As I researched his life and saw his deep commitment to Christian principles and values, I was astounded. My response was, “If Franklin is the most nonreligious of America’s Founders, what does it say for our political leaders today? If he is one of the most nonreligious Founders, then it shows how far we have drifted from our origins as a nation.

Franklin, in fact, envisioned a Christian America in which its inhabitants would be governed from within by Christian principles of virtue and morality. Such a people would create a stable and prosperous society with little need for outward regulation and controls. He also wanted government leaders to pray privately and publicly, imploring God for His assistance in their duties.

That Franklin envisioned such a nation is found throughout his writings, but I will here mention four events in his life that clearly demonstrate this fact: (1) a letter he wrote to George Whitefield in 1757, (2) his call for a day of prayer and fasting for Pennsylvania, (3) a letter of rebuke he wrote to Thomas Paine, and (4) his call to prayer at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

His Letter to George Whitefield

In a letter dated July 2, 1756 Franklin presented a proposal to George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the Great Awakening, proposing that they partner together to establish a Christian colony “in the Ohio,” which would have been frontier country at the time. In this letter, Franklin expressed his belief that by establishing such a colony with “a strong body of religious and industrious people,” the other colonies would be made more secure and commerce among the colonies would be increased.

He also presented a missionary reason for such a colony, saying it would greatly facilitate the introduction of "pure religion" among the American Indians in that region. They could be evangelized, Franklin said, by showing them “a better sample of Christians than they commonly see.” He expressed confidence that God would give them success in such a project, “if we undertook it with a sincere regard to his honor.”

Although time, distance and circumstances did not allow them to attempt this venture, I suggest that Franklin’s vision for a Christian colony did not die with that project, but was later fulfilled in a manner beyond anything he could have imagined. Twenty years after the date of the above proposal, Franklin, with 55 others, signed the Declaration of Independence and brought into existence a new nation built on Christian values of faith and freedom.

His Call for a Day of Prayer & Fasting for Pennsylvania

That Franklin never thought in terms of a separation of God and state, was made obvious just a few years after Whitefield’s initial visit to Philadelphia and the beginning of their friendship. In the 1740s Britain and Spain declared war and many in Philadelphia were concerned since being on the coast made them vulnerable to marauding Spanish ships that could well pass their way.

Franklin led the way in organizing citizen militias and building fortifications with cannon at the edge of the city. He then proposed that the Assembly and civic leaders issue a call for a day of prayer and fasting, “to implore the blessing of Heaven on our undertaking.”

The people of Philadelphia had no knowledge of a public day of prayer and fasting, but Franklin was able draw on his Puritan roots in New England where public days of prayer and fasting had been observed since the time the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth in 1620. He wrote;

They embraced the motion; but as it was the first fast ever thought of in the province, the secretary had no precedent from which to draw the proclamation. My education in New England, where a fast is proclaimed every year, was here of some advantage. I drew it in the accustomed style, it was translated into German, printed in both languages, and divulged through the province.

Franklin and all of Pennsylvania, including government officials, then participated in a day of prayer and fasting, imploring God’s blessing and protection on their colony. Even at this early stage of his life he obviously saw no conflict between God, prayer and government. Indeed, throughout his life Franklin would consider Christian values a necessary force for a prosperous and stable society.

His Rebuke of Thomas Paine

Franklin, indeed, came to believe the teachings of Jesus—whom he sought to emulate—to be a necessary and positive force in society and a restraint on evil in the world. This is why when the well-known Deist, Thomas Paine, sent him a manuscript copy of a book he had written challenging the idea of a providential God and other aspects of orthodox Christianity, Franklin, in very strong language, urged him not to print the book or even allow anyone else to see it. He wrote;

I would advise you, therefore . . . to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification by the enemies it may raise against you, and perhaps a good deal of regret and repentance. If men are so wicked with religion [Christianity], what would they be if without it.

Franklin’s words predicting regret and repentance for Pain if he persisted in attacking Christianity proved to be prophetic. Many years later, on his deathbed in England, Paine expressed deep regret for writing and publishing The Age of Reason, which became very popular in America. While in the throes of death, he lamented;

I would give worlds, if I had them, if The Age of Reason had never been published. O Lord, help me! Christ, help me! Stay with me! It is hell to be left alone.

He Calls the Constitutional Convention to Prayer

On June 28, 1787 Franklin was participating as one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in his hometown of Philadelphia. Much regional disagreement had surfaced and the convention was about to be suspended because of unresolved strife and dissension. It was at this critical moment that Franklin, now 81 years of age, rose to his feet, and addressed the Convention President, George Washington, with these words;

How has it happened, sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly appealing to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible to danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard and they were graciously answered. 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. I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberation be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business.

That it was Franklin who would call the assembly to prayer shows the depth of his Puritan roots (he was born into a Christian, Puritan home) and the impact of Whitefield and the Great Awakening on his life and thinking. The words in this call to prayer show how far he had moved away from his earlier Deistic thinking, for Deists did not believe that God “governs in the affairs of men” and prayer for them would be meaningless.

Franklin’s call to prayer demonstrates that he wanted faith in God to be a vital part of this new nation, and that he considered it necessary for the nation’s success. “Is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?” was his challenging question to the delegates.

According to those present, “an atmosphere of reconciliation seemed to settle over the convention hall.” Petty grievances and local interests were laid aside, and the delegates went on to complete their task of formulating the American Constitution and Bill of Rights. I think Whitefield must have smiled down from heaven on his old friend!

Franklin, no doubt, was living out the vision for a Christian society he had shared with Whitefield 37 years prior to this momentous event.

Concluding Thought

As we celebrate the 239^th birthday of this nation, it is important that we remember our godly heritage as a nation. It is crucial that we protect this heritage and build on it for the next generation. The future belongs to those who know from whence they have come.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's new book, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, available from Amazon and Hyatt's online bookstore at http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html.

THE PROUD AND ARROGANT ARE COMING DOWN

While preaching this past Sunday and elaborating on the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to Paul the Apostle, something unusual happened. As I began commenting on Acts 9:6, something stirred deep in my heart. I suddenly stopped in the middle of my message and found myself praying, “O God, bring down the proud and arrogant leaders in our nation, both political and religious.”

Acts 9:6, where this experience occurred, reads, So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Saul, who was on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus, had just been just been struck down by a bright light from heaven. Lying in the dust, he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Astonished and trembling, he inquired as to the identity of the voice and heard, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting (Acts 9:5).

As I elaborated on the intensity of this encounter for Saul, I suddenly realized that the proud and arrogant Saul, who was bent on destroying this new Jesus Movement, had been brought down and humbled in the dust of the Damascus Road. It was at that moment that I spontaneously lifted up the prayer to God that He would bring down the proud and arrogant leaders in our nation, both political and religious.

God Hates Pride

God hates pride and both James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5 quote Proverbs 3:34 that warns, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Paul warned against putting a novice (one new to the faith) into a place of leadership, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil (I Timothy 3:6).

Pride is deadly because it asserts the “self” or ego against God. The middle letter of pride is “I.” Pride is the root of all sin for the end of all sin is self-gratification. It was pride that brought down the beautiful archangel, Lucifer. It was pride that caused our first parents to declare their independence from God and think they could be gods and make it on their own. Their prideful action plunged the world and the human race into what is theologically known as the fall, which opened the door to sin, evil and death. No wonder that Proverbs 16:18 warns, Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride Destroys Revival

Some years ago I was in a “revival” church and scheduled to speak that Sunday morning. It was a very festive atmosphere. But as people shouted, danced and ran, I heard the words in my mind and heart, “The stronghold of deception is pride,” and I knew I was to speak on that topic

When the service was turned to me I announced my theme and then shared with the congregation why that especially during times of revival we must guard against pride. I explained, and gave examples, how many men who were mightily used of God were brought down by pride, because they got an inflated idea of their own importance because of God’s blessing on their lives. I told a sobering  story of one of the most powerful healing evangelists of the 1940s-50s and how he began to think he was Elijah, ushering in the second coming of Christ. I also told of his tragic end.

At the end of the service a somberness and quietness seemed to pervade the atmosphere. The people who were running and shouting earlier seemed almost afraid to move. After the benediction the people departed very quietly, almost speaking in whispers.

I later said to the pastor, “I hope I did not squelch the enthusiasm of your congregation. “O no,” he replied, “In fact you were so on target that I may be accused of bringing you in to preach that message.” He then shared examples of how pride had crept into their “revival” and was creating havoc in their congregation.

Charles Finney, who has been called the Prince of Revivalists, commented on how in the midst of a revival Christians often “sin against their own mercies, because they get lifted up with their success, and take the credit to themselves and do not give glory to God.” He further elaborated, saying;

Perhaps it has been published in the papers what a great revival there has been in that church, so that they begin to think how high they will stand in the estimation of other churches all over the land, because they have had such a great revival. And they get puffed up and vain and they can no longer enjoy the presence of God. The Spirit of God withdraws from them, and the revival ceases.

We Must Deal with the Pride

A number of years ago I was sitting in a “Revival Now” conference when I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to bow down before the Lord. I considered how to respond for it was during a time when people were being called to come forward to receive prayer for a fresh touch of God in their lives. The urge to bow before the Lord would not go away and I finally turned and bowed at my seat.

As soon as my knees touched the floor I heard the voice of the Lord as clear as I have ever heard it. I heard Him say, “I am going to be doing some incredible things in the days ahead; and when you see My power and My glory, this is to always be your posture. You are to bow down and acknowledge that I am the Sovereign Lord of this universe.”

I believe God is about to deal with the pride in America and in the American church. The proud and arrogant are coming down. Isaiah 33:11 says, The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

We can, however, avoid His discipline by humbling ourselves. I know someone will say, “But we are living under grace.” That is true and Paul, the preacher of grace, said in I Corinthians 11:31-32, For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened [disciplined] by the Lord that we might not be condemned with the world.

The Power of Humility & Prayer

For several generations, the first immigrants to America would set aside days of what they called “prayer and humiliation.” It was not a time of groveling or self-flagellation, but a time of confessing the sin of pride and the sin of trusting in themselves and their own strength instead of totally relying on the Lord. Out of their days of “prayer and humiliation” emerged the most powerful nation on earth.

We should not be surprised for God promises that those who will humble themselves, He will exalt. I Peter 5:6 says, Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time. And Isaiah 66:3 says, These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word (NIV).

It is time that we as American Christians humbled ourselves before God, confessed that in our pride we have relied on our own strength, and confess how much we need Him. This could lead to a Third Great Awakening that will change the very course of this nation. If we do not humble ourselves, we can expect to be humbled. The proud and arrogant are coming down.

Dr. Eddie Hyatt is an author, revivalist and Bible teacher. His latest book, The Faith & Vision of Benjamin Franklin, is available from Amazon. You can read about his vision for America and another Great Awakening by visiting his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.