Rev. John Peter Muhlenberg once concluded in 1776 that “in the language of the Holy Writ, there is a time for all things. There is a time to preach and a time to fight. And now is the time to fight.” Throwing off his clerical robe to reveal a military uniform, he rallied his church members to fight for faith and freedom. Today, that battle cry echoes again: it is time. Our nation is searching for remnants of strength and people courageous enough to stand. So here are five ways for us to fight for our nation and bring it back to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- Pray Targeted Prayers
The first and most important way to help our country is to pray. 1 Chronicles 7:14 says that if we turn from our sins and pray that He will heal our land. The fight for our country, we must realize, is a spiritual one. As Scripture tells us, we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this age (Ephesians 6:12). Partner with FRC, ADF, IVoterGuide, Eagle Forum and others in prayer. Join the league of intercessors and ask for power from on high to cleanse and save our land.
- Keep Representatives Representing You
Our elected leaders’ job is to represent their constituents well. Meet the ones who represent your district. Talk to them. Email them with specific requests and write letters. Check out resources for how to do so here and find out what your representative is doing here. Most importantly, let them know that you are praying for them. U.S. Senate Chaplain Lloyd John Ogilvie said that many congressmen ran for office because thousands of people told them that they were praying and would pray. “Once elected, these leaders knew that they were in office because of God’s appointment and were accountable to Him, but … were also dependent on the continued prayer support of their prayer partners back home.” Praise God, He is raising up spiritually minded leaders so let us encourage them in the fight.
- Work in Our Elections
Our responsibility to vote extends beyond the ballot box, because elections need staunch defenders. Become a poll worker or poll watcher and ensure that what happens under your watch is honorable and right. (You can work the polls as young as 16). Be a volunteer for a campaign. Knock on doors for patriotic, God-honoring candidates. Hand out information cards. Help host voter registration drives. Remember, this is the nation of your children and grandchildren. Make it a better place for them. Fight for them.
- Vote with Your Dollars
Choose to put your money in places that honor biblical principles. Public Sq., 2ndVote, and the 1792 Exchange are all great resources for finding those organizations and businesses. Instead of banking with secular and progressive financial institutions, support Adelfi Banking and Christian Community Credit Union. Instead of sending grocery money to Target, Amazon, or Walmart, invest in more conservative stores like Publix, Winn-Dixie, or MyStore. Send a clear message to businesses marketing evil that you do not approve and will not stand for the destruction of your country.
- Raise Up Warriors
The Left knows where to focus their efforts: on the next generation. It’s our turn to stand up for our nation’s children. Sponsor a book reading at the library and read an old favorite. Encourage kids to see God’s handiwork and be patriotic from a young age. Don’t have kids of your own? Reach out to others. Many parents would love a helping hand. Teach Sunday school classes —focusing not only on stories but on scientific, verifiable information. Help kids see the Bible as true and authoritative. Teach them stories about strong missionaries and godly statesmen. Tell them how God has worked in American history. Join with Moms for Liberty and make a goal to read the Constitution on or before Constitution Day. Pass on the baton of righteousness and train them up in the way that they should go, as Proverbs 22:6 tells us to do.
For too long Christians have kept themselves out of politics, and disaster has been the result. Do we want to continue sending a message of utter depravity and sexual immorality to a broken world, or do we want to once again be a lighthouse of religious freedom that has given hope to millions? It’s up to us. Each of us have been endowed with spiritual gifts by our Creator. Let us walk in our unique gifts. Let us each build our part of the wall in our homes and communities. When the clock strikes twelve, announcing the departure of 2023, what will have been our impact in 2023? Let us not mourn that we did nothing but rejoice that we have sounded the battle cry: for God and country!
Elizabeth Pohl serves as an intern at Family Research Council.
