First appeared on FOX: Despite the country’s current problems, “we’re still a blessed country,” Ed Vitaliano, vice president of the American Family Association, told Fox News Digital this week as Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, Independence Day, starting Thursday and continuing through the holiday weekend.
“Throughout the world, countless people are suffering in many ways, nowhere more than under tyranny and oppression,” said Vitaliano, an ordained minister based in Tupelo, Mississippi, who also pastors churches in northeast Mississippi.
So on this holiday, the president said, “as we remember the blessings of freedom, let us also remember our responsibility to preserve our own freedom.”
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“Let us place our trust firmly in Almighty God, obey Him, love one another, and work to liberate our neighbors so that we may all prosper.”
Several other religious leaders, pastors and writers working in the fields of faith and culture also shared their thoughts on this Fourth of July, when the nation celebrates its 248th anniversary.
“My prayer is that we turn to God.”
“On the Fourth of July, I will be in Alaska working with wounded veterans and their spouses as part of Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Heal Our Patriots,” the Rev. Franklin Graham told Fox News Digital in an email just before the Fourth of July.
The Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said he is thankful to God for all those who serve and protect our country. (Getty Images)
“It is always an honor to celebrate Independence Day with these tried-and-true warriors and their families who sacrificed so much for our freedom,” he said.
“I thank God for them and for those who are serving today to protect this country.”
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He also said, “As we celebrate Independence Day, we must remember where our freedom comes from. It comes from God.”
Pictured above, Rev. Graham spoke at the unveiling of a statue of his father at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. earlier this year. “On the Fourth of July this year, I will be in Alaska working with wounded veterans and their spouses as part of Samaritan’s Purse’s ‘Operation Heal Our Patriots,'” Rev. Graham said. (Samaritan’s Purse/Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
“We thank God for this great nation, for our freedom from oppression, and for his mercy and blessings over the years,” the North Carolina-based religious leader said.
“My prayer for the Fourth of July is that we turn to God, not away from him.”
“They knew what true justice was.”
“What’s so great about the framers of our Constitution is that they were very learned, very educated and, of course, very principled people,” Alex McFarland, an expert on religion and culture and director of Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Carolina’s North Greenville University, told Fox News Digital.
He added, “They knew what true justice was. Not social justice. [today’s] The awakened online influence will define it, but justice is the guiding law of God’s nature.”
“This week let’s thank God for our country and celebrate the fact that we live in this beautiful United States of America.” (iStock)
She added, “This week let us thank God for our country and celebrate living in this beautiful United States of America.”
“The true roots of American greatness”
Based in Washington, DC, Katie Tallent is executive director of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries. She served as a top health advisor on the White House Domestic Policy Council.
On the Fourth of July this year, she expressed concern about the physical and mental health of Americans.
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“America has never been more sick, obese, anxious and depressed in its history,” she said in an emailed statement. “Half of all children have at least one chronic illness,” she added.
“Not coincidentally, relationships with higher powers and religious affiliation are at an all-time low,” she said.
“We must pray for a season of restoration of our nation’s spiritual dependence on God, the true source of American greatness.” (AP Photo/Bruce Newman, Oxford Eagle)
“As we celebrate this Fourth of July, it is time for a new revolution against the corporate overlords who are destroying our bodies and our souls.
“Most importantly, we must pray for a season of restoration of our nation’s spiritual dependence on God, the true source of American greatness.”
It’s a “moment you can’t miss”
Tim Clinton, president of the Lynchburg, Virginia-based American Association of Christian Counselors, told Fox News Digital that “as we reflect on Independence Day, Christians must never forget the biblical foundations on which America was built, and must ‘focus on the future’ to ensure that foundation is not lost.”
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“This is a moment that cannot be overlooked. The decline of religion in this country has far-reaching implications not only for the future of the church, but for the future of America – the structure of the American family, our politics, our lifestyle, biblical morality,” Clinton said.
“America is at a crossroads, and the fight for faith, family and our future is inevitable,” he said. “We cannot miss the opportunity to step up and fight for family, faith and freedom. We can win this fight, and I believe we can — one family at a time, one mother at a time, one father at a time.”
“America needs change”
“The Fourth of July is a day of celebration and reflection for our nation. With all our hearts, we give thanks to God for his protection and grace,” said the Rev. Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington.
“Thank you to all those who serve our country, sacrifice and risk their own safety.”
“I’m grateful to all those who serve our country and risk their own safety for others,” he said.
“God has showered America with blessings, grace and patience, and as fireworks fill the sky, we cannot take His kindness and mercy for granted,” the Grace Community Church pastor and author said.
“We have great freedom to worship God,” one pastor said. (iStock)
At the same time, “we look back at the past, assess the present, and look to the future with new hope and vision.”
On the latter point, he said, “We need to make some changes in America. We need to come home, we need to come back to God.”
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Bradley said, “God is faithful to fulfill all his promises. His word stands forever. Can you hear His gentle voice beckoning us? He who has ears to hear, let him hear. The Good Shepherd cares for the soul of our nation and each one of us (Revelation 3:20).”
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He also shared his thoughts on the concept of freedom during this holiday.
“Independence was a great step forward for our country and we will never forget it. The birth of our nation included escape and redemption from injustice.”
Today, he said, “we have incredible freedom to worship God and live the abundant life that Jesus gives us.”
“True freedom also includes caring for orphans and providing them with forever families,” one pastor told Fox News Digital this week. (iStock)
But “true freedom also includes freedom from sinful habits and negative thinking,” he said.
“True freedom also includes caring for orphans and providing them with forever families.”
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And, “True freedom includes an end to human trafficking. True freedom includes repentance and moving from darkness to light.”
He added, “Jesus has the power to rescue us from the pit of despair, the deception of false teachings and destructive selfishness.”
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“Joy is in God’s presence and the freedom that Jesus achieved through his death and resurrection (Ephesians 4:2-6).”
