Breakpoint
Author: John Stonestreet and Dr. Timothy D. Padgett
Throughout Scripture, God hears and answers the prayers of His people. King Solomon called on all of Israel to pray at the consecration of the Temple. Nehemiah asked God for forgiveness and for courage to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Apostles prayed for boldness to testify to the resurrection and Lordship of Christ. More recently, various Awakenings and revivals have been accompanied by commitments to prayer. God chooses to respond to the appeals of His people in accomplishing His will.
In the same hope, the organizers of Fidelity Month have called for a Day of Prayer on June 24. I recently talked with Princeton University professor Robert P. George, who explained why he started the movement back in 2023.
[T]he data showed that the belief of Americans in the importance of some of the traditional values that had been our sources of unity and strength as a people had diminished, diminished very significantly, right down in a line like that. The belief in the importance of religion, belief in the importance of fidelity in marriage, belief in the importance of patriotism, and love of country: those were way down. The only thing that Americans believe in the importance of that went up was with respect to money.
More Americans think that having a lot of money is more important. Now, I want to be clear. I want everybody to have a nice life, materially speaking. I want everyone to be prosperous. I want people to be able to take care of themselves and their families and have a few luxuries. But gosh, the love of money should not be on the same scale as love of God, love of your spouse and your children, love of our country.
We have a day for this and a week for that and a month for the other thing. Why don't we take some period of time, let's say a month, and encourage our fellow citizens or fellow Americans to rededicate themselves to the basic principle of fidelity—fidelity to God, fidelity to our spouses and to our families, fidelity to our country and to our communities?
If we are to be people who are faithful to our families, our nation, and to God, we will need His help. The good news is that God promised help to those who ask. So, let’s ask.
As the announcement for the Fidelity Month Day of Prayer put it:
As a people, we're in deep need of fasting. We need to repair our relationship with God—who alone is the source and summit of all fidelity—through repentance, so that He can heal and restore us as a people. We invite you to fast and pray the Fidelity prayer for our country in accordance with your own religious traditions.
To assist, a Fidelity Day Prayer has been written. Obviously, it can be prayed at any time, but please take time on June 24 to offer it to God together, along with so many others.
Almighty and merciful Lord, we praise You and thank You for all You have given us in Your great and unmerited generosity. Please help us to remember who we are, and Whose we are. Grant us the grace to unite as one people in turning back to You with all of our hearts, with all of our souls, and with all of our minds. Cleanse us of all that separates us from You, and help us to cultivate the virtues we need this day and always, so that we may grow in fidelity to You—Who are always faithful—and to our spouses and families, and to our communities and country, and thereby live in accordance with Your holy will. In Your boundless mercy and lovingkindness, Lord, please heal and restore our land.
Amen.
For more on Fidelity Month and the Day of Prayer, please visit FidelityMonth.com.