7 May 2020, Anno Domini
National Day of Prayer
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HE Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. (Isaiah 61:1)
The fruits of Christ are summed up in Liberty – not only in this life, but in the life to come by His Grace and Redemption. It is upon this pillar of freedom and liberty that the American nation was conceived and perpetuated by the Providence of an Almighty God. Unlike the other nations of the world who desired a king to rule over them, the American nation was founded under her own Sovereign, King Jesus. It is from His Law and His Grace that the principles of Liberty and Justice derive.
The founding document of the United States is not the U.S. Constitution, but rather the Declaration of Independence. It was this glorious document that heralded a new nation founded upon the recognition that all rights and privileges descend from God and not the hand of the secular power. The American Constitution was the instrument devised to implement that principle and that provides, in the very First Amendment, that freedom of religion, speech, and assembly cannot be infringed. There is no mention anywhere in the US Constitution that limits prayer, Bible reading, or prohibiting the incorporation of moral law into the governance of her people. Only by means of corrupt justices and judges have those limitations been artificially imposed under color of Constitution prohibition. The First Amendment does not protect government from religion, but rather protects religion from governmental interference:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 1st Amendment, U.S. Constitution. We do not need a black-robed tyrant to describe to us what these simple words mean. It is the foundation stone of our liberties as expressed on the Liberty Bell. Can you determine which of these guarantees are infringed upon by government in the past few days, or years? The 1st Amendment makes NO exceptions to its guarantees.
Just as the Christians risked violent death for gathering to worship in the catacombs of Rome, and the heroic men and women of the American Revolution risked all to defend their biblical right to Liberty, so must we today not be terrified into a panic over pestilence. If we can be placed under house arrest over a ‘possible’ contagion so easily, how simple the next text to deprive us permanently of our freedoms ‘for our own good.’
The blessings of liberty have always been purchased at the high cost of blood. Our redemption, too, was the costliest in blood of all – the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It may surprise the reader to know that more of our Presidents (11) have been Anglican than any other denomination. I believe this may be due to the good order of worship and to the limitations to which the minister can go in implementing that reverence required in worship. That order was also implemented in the founding documents of the American government; but the letter of the law is only as good as the honor and integrity of those who interpret and enforce it. Perhaps America will perish as the Beacon Light of Liberty to the World if her people cease to be watchful and zealous to defend their God-given Liberty. Let us pray for God to revive the spirit of Liberty and Freedom in our land, and pray the prayer that has been prayed by fervent defenders of our faith from the early founding of our nation from the American Book of Common Prayer:
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LORD our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; We commend this nation to thy merciful care, that being guided by thy Providence, we may dwell secure in thy peace. Grant to The President of the United States, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do thy will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in thy fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
For Our Country.
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LMIGHTY God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (1928 Book of Common Prayer)
In Christ,
Worldwide Anglican Orthodox Communion
JERRY L. OGLES, Presiding Bishop
Bishop of the United States
St. Andrew’s Parish
