Pray for USA

Long known as a land of opportunity, the United States of America (USA) was built upon “The American Dream” — the idea that anyone can build the life they want if they work hard enough. The nation was founded in 1776 with the promise of protecting everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That American Dream has captivated the world for centuries, drawing generations of immigrants who continue to seek a new life on its shores today. Over time, this dream has steadily expanded. While early American laws and customs restricted opportunities for women and minorities, decades of civil rights advancements have opened more doors for people of all backgrounds. Progress toward this is still being made. Today, the founders’ original seed of ambition continues to drive the nation, making it the world’s largest economy and a global leader in technology and military strength.

But much of this success has come at the expense of others. Selfishness and division plague the USA. In this nation where everyone is equal at birth, the race for success has turned into a competition where people search for personal glory. Political, racial, and social differences have divided the nation. Most Americans want to improve the country, but they have different ideas about how, which has caused anger and hatred. These divisions are only one part of a broader social struggle. The ambition that drives the nation is rooted in idolatrous individualism, causing isolation. The nation also struggles with materialism and discontentment. People commonly rely on alcohol and marijuana for pleasure, and mental health issues are widespread. The USA has one of the highest rates of drug use in the world and one of the highest rates of human trafficking.

Freedom is the anthem of the USA, and freedom of religion is a constitutional right. Religion is kept separate from the government to protect each individual’s beliefs. And with this freedom, many have chosen Jesus Christ. The USA is home to the largest number of Christians and the largest source of missionaries and missions funding in the world. However, commitment to the Church is near an all-time low. A large percentage of the population claim Christianity, but a much smaller percentage actively center their daily lives, choices, and habits around Scripture. The majority of people are more influenced by sinful pleasures than by their Savior. But a deep relationship with Christ is accessible to anyone who seeks it. The USA is blessed with widely-accessible Scripture and thousands of churches spanning a vast range of denominations and worship styles.