Americans Should Take A Moment To Give Thanks by Robert Socha

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a ESV.

I want to take a moment to rejoice and be thankful and offer up a prayer for unity and peace.

The hope found in Christ that I have received by faith in His name is a source of constant joy. I cherish my wife, married these 20 years, and our four beautiful children who bring me great pride, inspiring me to continue to run this life’s race well. I rejoice in the fact that I was born in the great United States of America. I am so thankful to live in a country that has guaranteed rights to its citizenry. I am grateful for a republican form of government that has checks and balances and is a servant of the people. It is a source of comfort that not only am I able to speak freely in this land, but I am also able to exercise my rights and petition my government for a redress of grievances, requesting they correct what I think is an error.

I am amazed as I look back thru history that never before have so many people had so much freedom and luxury to enjoy as we have experienced. When I see countless millions enjoying the comforts that modernity provides, I smile because the process to produce and market food and air-conditioned housing has provided us tremendous ease and comfort in their procurement. I marvel at man’s ingenuity in mixing various spices with meats and vegetables to create dishes that cause my tastebuds to dance in their explosion of flavor. I am amazed by the creative genius that has built such fantastic structures for housing, business, and recreation.

The fact that we can slip the surly bonds of earth (Magee) and explore outer space is fantastic in its appeal.

I give thanks to the Lord that amid civil unrest and bombarding political rhetoric, there is attainable peace that passes all understanding. Even though there is unrest in the streets and angst in many people’s hearts, I can choose to smile and bless and provide comfort as I am able.

It is grand when one human being comforts another in their time of distress, and I love the fact that God Himself grants us the opportunity to do precisely that.

One of my life’s verses speaks to this very thing:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV.

What a precious feeling to know that we can be vessels holding comfort that, if we are willing, can be poured out like a healing balm to those whom we come in contact. Joy fills my heart in this endeavor.

The magnanimity of our culture to try and correct the wrongs befalling millions of humans is a source of awe and I am grateful for the men and women who are using their lives to serve humanity.

To close with a prayer:

“Heavenly Father, good morning. I come to you today in the hope of salvation through Christ alone and the magnificent promises attainable through faith in His name. I thank you for grace and the Cross.

I ask you to open the eyes of our hearts, where we would be able to receive by faith the gift purchased on the Cross of Calvary through deep and sincere repentance.

I ask you to forgive us for the outbursts of violence, wrath, and anger that have plagued our nation for generations, delving these past six months into terrible social unrest. Being the God of Peace and Comfort, you can heal the wounds that have erupted in horrific violence. I ask you to heal our land.

Help those of us who sincerely call on the Name of the Lord to shine as lights in this land and to respond with kindness, for I remind myself that your kindness draws men to repentance and a gentle answer turns away wrath. May we draw on this aspect of your character to fan into flame the gift of God, not the rhetoric of men.

I ask you to give us wisdom to return to sane and respectful thought and discussion, where we come to the table of brotherhood, settling our differences through forgiveness and unification so “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln).

In Christ’s name, Amen.”