Pray for AmericaSample

Pray for Our Unique Design

For centuries, the story of America could be told through the lens of race and nationality. Even the current written chapter is influenced by the interactions, conflicts, and cooperations between the various people groups who call this country their home.

It seems odd that so much importance could be placed on an inherited trait. Yet this has been true in most nations throughout history. The nationality someone is born with can be viewed as more important than earned income, knowledge, courage, or any other trait acquired or demonstrated.

However, pages of America's current chapter seem to feature another inherited trait more and more. This trait has been highlighted in fairly recent chapters, but not like this. In those chapters, activists and politicians sought to balance the disparity between the bearers of this trait. Today, activists and politicians are seeking something else entirely.

That trait is gender, and a complete redefinition is being sought.

It's important to start at the beginning of any story. Our current chapter is characterized by dramatic confusion about gender, so perhaps the first chapter can provide clarity.

To obtain a clear picture of gender, we go not to the first chapter of American history but to the first chapter of all history: Genesis. Most are familiar with describing humans as being "male and female" (Genesis 1:27), but let's take a moment and read the full chapter.

The story of creation is told in broad strokes. Countless species of plants are represented by just a few sentences in verses 11 and 12. Countless stars are represented by the incredibly short phrase "He also made the stars" in verse 16.

So when a small detail (that seems incredibly tiny by comparison) is highlighted in this macro-level account, we take notice. God painted a clear picture of humanity's nature and purpose, giving us a charge and defining our sources of sustenance. But amidst all that, He highlighted a distinction: we were made male and female.

Flipping through the pages of every nation's story from that time on, we see the problems that come from a lack of genders being distinct and valued: abusive relationships, inequality, divorce, molestation, gender confusion, sexism, etc. The solution to these problems is not a redefinition of gender (which eradicates distinction and diminishes value altogether) but rather a restoration of our dignity as unique image-bearers of God.

Today, pray for proper consideration, care, and cooperation between males and females. Pray for a revival in the holy strengthening of male and female distinctions and values. Pray for marriages to be infused with love and respect and for churches to be places of honor for men and women.

In many stories, characters can lose their way. That is what's happening to many people in America, particularly young people. Yet their stories don't have to become tragedies. Through your prayers and receiving direct encouragement, listening ears, and loving truth, their stories can conclude with a heavenly "happily ever after."