250 years ago, July 4th 1776, our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate this milestone, we need to remember the faith that greatly influenced our nation. We must therefore address what needs to be done to keep this nation great because “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Pr.14:34 NKJV).
1.) How has faith shaped the founding of our nation?
The Pilgrims
In the year 1620, the ship Speedwell left Delfts Haven, Holland to set sail and rendezvous with the Mayflower which would sail to the New World. They faced devastating storms, sicknesses, and Native Americans, just to worship God freely in the New World.
George Washington
George Washington played a vital role in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. During the Revolutionary War, Washington and his men made camp for the winter at a place called Valley Forge. The winter was brutal and Washington lost many men because of it. One day in the middle of it, it has been said that Washington knelt down to pray. My family and I have a copy of Arnold Friberg’s painting, The Prayer at Valley Forge in our home library. From those early days, to when he stepped down from his position as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, Washington prayed for our country. “I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interest of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into His holy keeping.”[i]
The Faith of Founding Fathers
Many people think our founding fathers were atheists. But actually, that was not the case. David and Tim Barton explain in The American Story, “Literally twenty-nine out of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration had Christian beliefs!”[ii] For example, here’s a powerful quote from Benjamin Rush: “My only hope of salvation is in the infinite transcendent love of God manifested to the world by the death of His son upon the Cross. Nothing but His blood will wash away my sins.”[iii] Robert Paine and John Hancock also said respectively: “I believe the Bible to be the written word of God and to contain in it the whole rule of faith and manners.”[iv] “That all may bow to the scepter of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the whole earth may be filled with His glory (Psalm 72:19).[v]
2.) How is God calling you to help shape the future?
Speaking Out
I personally think that we Christians should speak out about Christ everywhere we go whether it is with gospel tracts or actually speaking. One time my family and I were on a trip visiting Washington D.C., we were on our way to the Lincoln Memorial and all of the sudden we heard a loud voice, so we turned the corner and we saw this black man on the Memorial steps with a loudspeaker preaching! My dad (who is a pastor) was very surprised, so he walked over and started talking with him while the rest of us looked around. I believe what that man did is what we should do also.
Electing the Right People
As the election is almost here, we need discernment on who we elect. Do some research on people you don’t know and pick the most godly person. My family have some friends who did not even vote in the 2024 election because they said that Trump was not fully anti-abortion which is correct but let me tell two little secrets: “Nobody is going to be the exact same person you want them to be.” And: “Either way, one side has to win and there is no way you can stop it.”
Passing It on to the Next Generation
I believe we should pass these truths on history and Christianity on to the next generation. Now the enemy is trying to do the exact same thing with their falsehoods to infiltrate and get a hold on the next generation, we must get up and stop them now! We must also bring our children to Church so that our children may know about the glorious splendor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ also.
So as we celebrate this Fourth of July and the founding of our nation 250 years ago, we need to be thankful for how God has worked in this country and be prayerful for what He is calling us to do to preserve this free nation. God bless America!
*Submitted to the James Dobson Family Institute for their America 250 Essay Contest.
[i] George Washington, “Washington’s Address to Congress Resigning his Commission, 23 December 1783,” DC-GW-Const-GW-resigns-commission.pdf (accessed 29 April, 2026).
[ii]. David & Tim Barton, The American Story: The Beginnings. (Aledo, TX. Wallbuilders. 2020), 156-157.
[iii] IBID, 156.
[iv] IBID, 157.
[v] IBID, 157.
