The early fathers acknowledged not only God’s existence, but also His sovereignty over the affairs of mankind. As they sought to establish a nation rooted firmly in freedom and equality, they understood this would only be possible “with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence” (The Declaration of Independence).
Over the years, dependence on God and submission to His authority have shifted to personal autonomy and self-worship.
“People have become lovers of themselves rather than lovers of God. The spiritual climate of 2026 is vastly different than the country that our Founding Fathers established in 1776,” said Franklin Graham at the Rededicate 250 celebration that took place this year at the National Mall.
How did we get to this place of spiritual emptiness?
It is no secret that America has largely turned its back on God. Children are encouraged to find their own truth from a young age, and mentions of God in our public schools are brushed aside or removed. Church attendance is rapidly declining as self-help strategies promise the answers to life’s problems. We’ve traded Divine guidance for subjective truth—“it’s up to me decide what is right and wrong.” And even the concept of biological sex and gender is up to the preference of each individual. It is clear that secularism has infiltrated every aspect of society, and the results are catastrophic. The further we stray from God, the deeper we sink into hopelessness.
Billy Graham once said, “Today, thousands of Americans have shifted their loyalties from God to gold and from the spiritual to the secular. As a nation once dedicated to the worship of God and the pursuit of the Christian life, we have lost the respect of the world because we have forsaken the principles on which our nation was founded.”
How can we return to the truth? Although it may seem like the world is spinning out of control, the Lord is not shaken. Cultural trends come and go, but hope remains because God is still sovereign—and He’s moved by the prayers of His people.
“God has not changed,” Billy Graham said. “All great moral renewals and spiritual awakenings among the nations have been preceded by persevering, prevailing prayer.”
Our nation’s problem is not new or original. Since the fall, sin has etched its mark across every human soul. But true freedom is available to those who place their faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
Joel 2:13 says, “Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness “(NKJV).
True renewal for America begins when we turn back to God. Now is the time for Christians to pray fervently and boldly declare the Good News of salvation to a culture in desperate need of peace.
“The church holds the key to revival. It is within our grasp,” declared Billy Graham.
Let us call out to the One who holds the entire world in His hands and faithfully proclaim His steadfast love to a nation running in the opposite direction.
