The Importance of Religious Freedom in America
[President Trump gave a speech earlier this year on the topic of religious freedom. He recounted both the reason we protect religious freedom for all in America, as well as what this administration has done to advance it. Those advances have been significant and extend to protecting freedom of religion in other nations.]
“From its opening pages, the story of America has been rooted in the truth that all men and women are endowed with the right to follow their conscience, worship freely, and live in accordance with their convictions. [In America], we honor the foundational link between freedom and faith in our country and reaffirm our commitment to safeguarding the religious liberty of all Americans.
“Religious freedom in America, often referred to as our ‘first freedom,’ was a driving force behind some of the earliest defining moments of our American identity. The desire for religious freedom impelled the Pilgrims to leave their homes in Europe and journey to a distant land, and it is the reason so many others seeking to live out their faith or change their faith have made America their home.
“More than 230 years ago, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which was authored and championed by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson famously expounded that ‘all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.’ This statute served as the catalyst for the First Amendment, which enshrined in law our conviction to prevent government interference in religion. More than 200 years later, thanks to the power of that Amendment, America is one of the most religiously diverse nations in the world.
“In May 2017, I signed an Executive Order to advance religious freedom for individuals and institutions, and I stopped the Johnson Amendment from interfering with pastors’ right to speak their minds. Over the last 3 years, the Department of Justice has obtained 14 convictions in cases involving attacks or threats against places of worship. To fight the rise of anti-Semitism in our country, I signed an Executive Order [in December 2019] to ensure that Federal agencies are using nondiscrimination authorities to combat this venomous bigotry. I have also made clear that my Administration will not tolerate the violation of any American’s ability to worship freely and openly and to live as his or her faith commands.
“My Administration also remains cognizant of the stark realities for people seeking religious liberty abroad and has made protecting religious minorities a core pillar of my Administration’s foreign policy… Today, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the precious and fundamental right of religious freedom, both at home and abroad. Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world.”
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12; NKJV)
Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:
Thank the Father that He directed our forefathers to grant us the right to worship Him here in America without government interference.
Declare, “Our Founders entrusted the American people with a responsibility to protect religious liberty so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world.”
Decree that the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution shall remain, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…”
Intercede for all of those who have not yet heard the Gospel. Pray for miracles that introduce them to Jesus.
Pray for the persecuted Church around the world.
Ask God to let America continue to be a champion for religious freedom worldwide.
A prayer you can pray:
Father, You are the only Wise God and You have seen fit to extend that wisdom from time to time to the sons of men. We are thankful that You did so when You helped our founding fathers write the Constitution of these United States of America. We decree those words today, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” You directed the signers to give us the ability to worship freely. They made clear that government could neither establish religion, nor stop us from worship. By these statutes we have lived for over 200 years. We desire for that to continue by Your grace.
Our Founders entrusted us with a responsibility to protect religious liberty here so that our Nation may stand as a bright beacon for the rest of the world. We pray today for all those in America and around the world that have not yet heard about Jesus. We ask You to increase the spread of the Gospel. Send many from here to the nations of the earth, fulfilling Your mandate to our forefathers. Let the U.S. continue to be a protector and defender of religious rights worldwide, so people are free to choose Jesus. Thank You, Lord for Your saving grace! Amen.
Today’s decree:
America will not tolerate the violation of any American’s ability to worship freely and openly!