“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:12
Sometimes, the Fourth of July brings unexpected consequences…usually in the form of mishandled fireworks.
When I was a kid, my dad set off some firecrackers in my uncle’s backyard and went back inside when they were done, not realizing that the wicks were still smoldering. Soon, blazes were whipping across the parched Bermuda grass, sending my dad back outside to battle the flames with a garden hose. Someone called the fire department, but the fire was out by the time the fighters arrived. Thank goodness! My dad stopped it just before it reached fields of dried weeds beyond the yard, which might have set the whole neighborhood on fire.
We had a similar near-disaster a few years ago in our yard when a bottle rocket combo tipped over and sent rockets flying sideways in our direction. We were fortunate that the missiles skirted just over our heads, and we learned from that experience to anchor future fireworks within a cement block!
Whew. We’re thankful that, in both cases, our mishaps weren’t more serious. And, as our nation reaches a huge milestone this week, our 250th observance of the Declaration of Independence, our family is very thankful and positive about our country and its future.
In fact, I’d like to propose the idea of a “Declaration of Thanksgiving” this weekend—a time to offer praise, glory, and honor to God for His many blessings to us. We owe our Lord a debt of gratitude for the faith of our founding fathers and for those who have sacrificed their lives to keep us persevering as a free country.
Before we start festivities with family and friends for the Fourth—with hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, shooting off firecrackers (be safe!), wearing red-white-and-blue, dancing to music, and flying the flag—let’s stop to pray together. America is truly a remarkable place to spend our lives. While there are other “exceptional” countries, we are tremendously blessed as a nation with an abundance of freedoms, natural resources, and resilient people.
Despite our flaws as a nation (and we are, indeed, flawed sinners), God has most definitely shed His grace on this land and its people. For two-and-a-half centuries, America has held up a beacon of light to the world.
I hope Christ-followers around the United States will spend time celebrating Independence Day with thanksgiving, humility, and prayer. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival. Pray for healing for the wounded, for all of us to find common ground across the divides. Pray for our enemies, that their eyes may be opened to Your truth. Pray that we will be the salt, light, and love of Christ to others.
If you live in another country, I invite you to join us in praying for America, too. May you be blessed as well, as we lift our hands and hearts to the One who alone has the power to save us all.
Here’s A Prayer Example You Can Follow, From National Day Of Prayer Task Force, 2026*
Almighty God, King of Glory, we confess our sins and repent of our pride that sought our own glory and comfort, allowing evil to take root instead of Your fruit in our hearts, homes, culture, and country. Please forgive us.
Now, with this declaration of rededication, we humble ourselves, pray, and seek Your face, turning from our wicked ways, that You would heal our lives and our land. Please purify and renew our hearts with holy attributes, affections, attitudes, and actions–to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
We give You glory as we repent and rededicate our lives and our nation to You. For 250 years You have guarded and guided America in wisdom, grace, mercy, and love. We praise and thank You for our Founding Fathers, for all who sought You in fervent prayer throughout history and answered Your call to defend justice and freedom; to protect and serve, preach and teach, innovate, communicate, learn, work, worship, and establish our laws.
May Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done in our lives, our Families, the Church, Education, Business, Military, Government, Arts, Entertainment and Media as it is in heaven. We prayerfully commit to “Glorify God Among the Nations, Seeking Him in All Generations.” In Jesus’ name, Amen!
(Written by NDP Task Force President, Kathy Branzell)
May all of you enjoy a safe, happy, and joyful celebration of America!
https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/2026-national-prayer
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom. © Copyright 2026 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #Jesus #julyfourth #fourthofjuly #fireworks #prayer #prayerforamerica #fireworks #firecrackers #revival #thanksgiving
Nancy C. Williams 