On July 4th, America celebrated its 248th birthday. Many wonder if we can survive the current political, economic, cultural and moral crisis that envelops our land. Below are three important facts about America that this generation desperately needs to know: facts that can carry us through the current crisis.
Fact Number 1: America was born from a great spiritual awakening. When George Whitefield, the most famous preacher of the great awakening, first came to America in 1738 to preach the gospel, his prayer was that American settlers would “live not as 13 divided colonies anymore, but as a nation under God.”
Moved up and down his constant shore, thousands came out to hear him preach outside and played an important role in seeing his prayers answered. Denominational, cultural and racial barriers were broken, and for the first time the crowd began to see themselves as one person with the destiny of one God.
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In this first great awakening, beginning in 1726, the entire town was transformed into the entire East Coast. The changes that the UK-appointed governor wrote to his British boss were huge.
These facts led to the late historian and Professor Perry Miller of Harvard University, who declared, “The Declaration of Independence in 1776 was a direct result of the sermons of the great awakening evangelist.”
Fact No. 2: The American founders were not racist. Of the great awakening, an anti-slavery movement was ignited, which led to virtually all founders, including those who owned slavery, and took a public stand against it. George Washington declared, “No one wants more than me to see the plans adopted to abolish slavery.”
The Declaration of Independence was understood by the founding generation as a statement against slavery, accompanied by a blinding and statement of colour that “all men are created equally and blessed by creators with certain unreliable rights.”
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In fact, abolitionists used both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, which came 11 years later as a weapon in the fight against slavery. The founder took this position when slavery was accepted and practiced in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and most of the world, so Frederick Douglass said, “My fellow citizens, I do not wish to honor the father of this Republic. The signatories of the Declaration of Independence were brave men. Many truly great men like this.”
Fact No. 3: America has been supported by the spiritual awakening of the nation. By the dawn of the 19th century, generations had been born, knowing little of the great awakening of the last century. Spiritual indifference, immorality and agnosticism seem to permeate the land, prompting many churches to designate their days and seasons for prayer, and to fast for another “religious resurrection.”
In response to their prayers, another great awakening tumbled across the land, like a huge wave of tsunamis. Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) described as a revivalist of circuit riding methods of this era. Famous historian Dr. Mark A. Noll called it “the most influential revival of Christianity in American history.”
There was also a third great awakening, bringing the nation through its most challenged time: the terrible civil war. In my book, “American Revival Heritage, Second Edition,” I document what I think is the fourth greatest awakening to support the nation through another dangerous time in its history.
Conclusion of the problem
Yes, at the most important moment in the country, America has been supported by a heavenly spiritual awakening. Therefore, it appears that revival lies in our national DNA. Knowing this gives us confidence in our prayers that God will clean up the land and send another great awakening to save America from this current critical and dangerous moment when we find ourselves.
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Dr. Eddie Hyatt has more than 50 years of ministry experience as a revivalist, pastor and professor of theology. He, along with many others, is on the mission of “saving America” by returning the nation to her founding principles and praying that another great awakening will clean up the land. His numerous books are available on Amazon and at his website http://eddiehyatt.com.
This article is available on his books, 1726: The Year that defined America and America’s Revival Heritage, 2nd edition, Amazon and his website http://eddiehyatt.com.
