Several weeks ago, thousands of people gathered in Washington, DC, for “Rededicate 250 – A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving.” This was a major prayer gathering event, scheduled as part of the preparations for America’s 250th anniversary. It invited citizens to the National Mall, to give thanks for the country’s history and rededicate it as “one nation under God.” For nine hours attendees focused on prayer, religious expression, and reflection on the nation’s spiritual roots ahead of the 2026 250th-anniversary celebrations. Almost immediately, there were people down-playing the event and stating that America wasn’t established as a Christian nation. They are entitled to their opinion, but historical documents, letters, and facts point otherwise.
Before the Pilgrims settled in Massachusetts in 1620, before they even left their ship at Cape Cod, they wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact which stated:
“IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due Submission and Obedience.IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno Domini; 1620.”
The compact is widely celebrated as the first document in the New World to establish self-governance and rule of law based on the consent of the governed. Because the settlers had no official royal patent for the Massachusetts territory, they created their own legitimate authority. Even though I had to research the original document because Google’s references didn’t mention a religious context to the first historical document establishing America, the wording is there – “In the name of God,” “By the grace of God,” “for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian faith,” “in the Presence of God” – you get the idea. America was established for freedom of religion first and the establishment of rule of law by the consent of the governed, next.
This principle of popular consent and social compact was also written into the Declaration of Independence where God is mentioned as the Creator who endowed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It also affirms Him as the Supreme Judge of the World to whom they appeal. The framers of this most important document then mutually pledge their “lives, fortunes, and sacred honor,” saying they rely on Divine Providence to protect them. It has been said that out of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the vast majority identified as Christians. While they represented different denominations, nearly all acknowledged God as the source of human rights.
God was there in 1620, in many historical documents that followed, and He is here today, waiting for us to follow 2 Chronicles 7:14. Look it up – God promises to heal our broken land if we return to Him. The rededication of America to God on May 17 was an important step in saving our country from the evil that is attacking it. I would encourage naysayers to learn our history, which unfortunately has not been adequately taught for a long time.
God bless – Sue
One God, Two Voices 