FIRST ON FOX: Even with the issues we’ve got on this nation proper now, “we’re nonetheless a blessed nation,” Ed Vitagliano, government vp of the American Household Affiliation, advised Fox Information Digital this week as Individuals take time to rejoice the Fourth of July on Thursday and all through the vacation weekend.
Primarily based in Tupelo, Mississippi, Vitagliano, additionally an ordained minister who pastors a church in northeast Mississippi, famous, “Numerous hundreds of thousands are struggling around the globe in a myriad of the way, not the least of that are in lives lived underneath dictatorship and oppression.”
So “as we bear in mind the blessings of liberty” throughout the vacation, he mentioned, “allow us to additionally bear in mind our obligations to keep up our personal freedoms.”
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“In a agency reliance on Almighty God, allow us to obey the Lord, love each other and work to free our neighbors that every one may prosper.”
A number of different religion leaders, pastors and authors who work within the religion and tradition area shared ideas for July 4th this yr because the nation celebrates its 248th birthday.
‘My prayer is that we flip to God’
“This July 4, I’m in Alaska with wounded veterans and their spouses as part of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal Our Patriots,” Rev. Franklin Graham advised Fox Information Digital in an emailed message simply forward of the Fourth.
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Rev. Franklin Graham, CEO of each Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Affiliation, mentioned he thanks God for all those that serve and defend our nation. (Getty Pictures)
“It’s all the time a privilege to commemorate our Independence Day with these tried and examined warriors who, together with their households, have sacrificed a lot for our freedoms,” he mentioned.
“I thank God for them and for individuals who serve in the present day to guard this nation.”
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He additionally famous, “As we rejoice Independence Day, we should additionally bear in mind the place our freedom comes from: It comes from God.”
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Proven above on the Capitol in Washington, D.C., earlier this yr when a statue of his father was unveiled, Rev. Graham mentioned that for July 4 this yr, “I’m in Alaska with wounded veterans and their spouses as part of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Heal Our Patriots.” (Samaritan’s Purse/Billy Graham Evangelistic Affiliation)
“I thank Him for this nice nation and our freedom from tyranny — and for His hand of mercy and blessing on it by the years,” mentioned the North Carolina-based religion chief.
“My prayer this July 4 is that we might flip to Him quite than flip farther away from Him.”
‘They knew what true justice was’
Alex McFarland, a faith and tradition knowledgeable and director of Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville College in North Carolina, advised Fox Information Digital, “The attractive factor concerning the Framers of our nation is that they had been so well-read, literate — and sure, godly principled folks.”
He added, “They knew what true justice was — not social justice as [today’s] woke, on-line influences would outline it — however justice because the legal guidelines that conduct the character of God.”
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“Let’s thank God for our nation this week and rejoice the truth that we reside on this stunning United States of America.” (iStock)
He added, “Let’s thank God for our nation this week and rejoice the truth that we reside on this stunning United States of America.”
‘True root of American greatness’
Katy Talento, primarily based in Washington, D.C., is government director of the Alliance of Well being Care Sharing Ministries. She served as prime well being adviser on the White Home Home Coverage Council.
For July 4th this yr, she expressed concern concerning the state of Individuals’ well being, each bodily and psychological.
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“America has by no means been sicker, fatter, extra anxious and depressed in our historical past,” she mentioned in emailed feedback. “Half of all youngsters have a minimum of one power situation,” she added.
“Not coincidentally, a relationship to a better energy and spiritual affiliation is at report lows,” she mentioned.
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“We should pray for a season of revival of our nation’s non secular dependence on God — the true root of American greatness.” (AP Picture/Oxford Eagle, Bruce Newman)
“As we rejoice July 4th this yr, it is time to foment a brand new revolution towards the company overlords who’re destroying our our bodies and souls.
“Most necessary, we should pray for a season of revival of our nation’s non secular dependence on God — the true root of American greatness.”
It is ‘a second we can not overlook’
Tim Clinton, president of the American Affiliation of Christian Counselors primarily based in Lynchburg, Virginia, advised Fox Information Digital, “As we replicate on Independence Day, Christians should always remember the biblical foundations that America was constructed upon and ‘deal with the long run’ to be able to guarantee these foundations by no means change into misplaced.”
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Clinton mentioned, “It is a second we can not overlook. The nation’s decline in faith has far-reaching results, not solely on the way forward for the church, but additionally on the make-up of the American household and the way forward for America because it pertains to politics, lifestyle, biblical morals, and so on.
“America is at a crossroads, and the combat for religion, household and future is just not non-obligatory,” he mentioned. “We can not miss the chance to step into the combat for our household, religion and freedoms. We are able to — and, I imagine, will — win this combat, one household, one mother, one dad, at some point at a time.”
‘Must make modifications in America’
The Fourth of July, mentioned Pastor Jesse Bradley of Auburn, Washington, “is a time of celebration and reflection for our nation. Sincerely and wholeheartedly, we thank God for His safety and provision.”
“We’re grateful for everybody who serves our nation, sacrifices and dangers their security.”
He additionally mentioned, “We’re grateful for everybody who serves our nation, sacrifices and dangers their very own security for the sake of others.”
God, mentioned the writer and pastor of Grace Neighborhood Church, “has showered His blessings, grace and endurance on America. As fireworks fill the sky, we don’t take the kindness and mercy of God with no consideration.”
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“Now we have the unbelievable freedom to worship God,” mentioned one pastor. (iStock)
On the identical time, “we replicate on our previous, assess our current situation and stay up for the long run with recent hope and imaginative and prescient.”
On this latter level, he mentioned, “we have to make some modifications in America. We have to come dwelling and return to God.”
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Mentioned Bradley, “God is devoted with all of His guarantees. The phrase of God stands without end. Are you able to hear His light voice, beckoning to us? Whoever has ears to listen to, allow them to hear. The Good Shepherd cares about the soul of our nation and every of us individually (Revelation 3:20).”
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He additionally shared ideas concerning the notion of liberty on this vacation.
“Independence was a significant step ahead for our nation that we are going to all the time bear in mind. The delivery of our nation included an escape and rescue from injustice.”
At present, he mentioned, “we’ve got the unbelievable freedom to worship God and reside the considerable life that Jesus provides.”
![Mother and little girl hands folded](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/04/1200/675/pray.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
“Actual liberty consists of caring for orphans and offering a without end household,” mentioned one pastor to Fox Information Digital this week. (iStock)
However “actual liberty consists of breaking freed from patterns of sin and detrimental considering,” he mentioned.
“Actual liberty consists of caring for orphans and offering a without end household.”
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And “actual liberty consists of ending human trafficking. Actual liberty consists of repentance and shifting from darkness to mild.”
He added, “Jesus has the ability to ship us from the depths of despair, the deceitfulness of false instructing and harmful selfishness.”
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“There is pleasure in God‘s presence and within the freedom that Jesus completed by His demise and resurrection (Eph. 4:2-6).”