Sen Jim Lembke: US Declaration of Independence recognizes God as Creator, seeking Him in prayer

The Declaration of Independence is the “Birth Certificate” of the United States of America.  It begins:

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Our becoming a nation is based upon “…the laws of nature and Nature’s God …”   Such was the foundation and basis of our new nation.  We were “born” as we rested solidly upon the truths that there is a God, that He is the God of nature, and He has provided us with laws …

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The document … and our nation’s independence itself … is based upon the truth that there is a “Creator,” and that our Creator God has given us “…certain unalienable rights …”

There is indeed no doubt that these truths are the basic foundation of our becoming a nation.

And toward the conclusion of the Declaration …

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare …”

And what are we doing when we are “…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world …”?

We are praying to our Creator God!

And in the conclusion of the Declaration …  

“And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

And what are we doing when we have and hold to “…a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence …” ?

We are trusting our Creator God to protect us … and bless us with success!

So be it!

The facts below additionally confirm how God has blessed us with such a wonderful Declaration of Independence.  Four months before the signing of the Declaration – on March 16, 1776 —  our founding fathers, composing the “Continental Congress” called for a day of prayer, repentance, and  “ … by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease God’s righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain this pardon and forgiveness.”

The day that called our county as a day of prayer was on May 17, 1776, barely seven weeks before the Declaration on Independence was signed by our founding fathers at the Continental Congress. 

The quotes below are cited from America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, p.140-141, compiled William J. Federer:

*“Continental Congress March 16, 1776, appointed a day of fasting and prayer for the Colonies:

  “The Congress…Desirous…to have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God’s superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely…on his aid and direction… by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease God’s righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain this pardon and forgiveness.”

  “Do earnestly recommend Friday, the 17^th day of May be observed by the colonies as a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united hearts, confess and bewail our manifold sins and transgressions, and, by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease God’s righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain this pardon and forgiveness.”

So here in the 21th century, may the people of the United States of America  once again , as did our forefathers;

“… have people of all ranks and degrees duly impressed with a solemn sense of God’s superintending providence, and of their duty, devoutly to rely…on his aid and direction… by sincere repentance and amendment of life, appease God’s righteous displeasure, and, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, obtain this pardon and forgiveness.”

So be it!!