“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
– Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America

I agree wholeheartedly with this quote. Because I agree with it, I do worry about the current and future states of my country, the United States of America. Over the past twenty years, I have seen the Ten Commandments removed from public buildings; I have heard of lawsuits filed for making a child, who has the right not to say the Pledge of Alliance, listen to others say it because it has the words “under God” in it; and I have cried while watching a memorial service for victims of 9/11 where prayer was not allowed, so as not to offend anyone. Call them what you will – free speech or freedom of religion – these acts are nothing other than statements against God.

While this country was “founded” under the values and morals of Judeo-Christian beliefs, it has a long history of supporting and encouraging religious freedoms and diversity. Because of that, God – or a Higher Power – has always been a part of the history, society and culture of the country. As I watch my fellow citizens wash over the importance of remaining “One Nation Under God,” my heart aches. By not allowing prayer at a function because it might offend a person, we are actually offending God, our Creator. By fighting to have the words “under God” removed from our Pledge so as not to force a child to hear them, we are actually forcing God away. By removing the word of God from our public places, we are removing the very foundation of our country – which is the humility in knowing that God is the one in charge of all this, not us.

Today would have been President Reagan’s 107th birthday. In his memory and to honor his great faith, I pray that we as a country will no longer stray from the hand of God. I pray that we will remember who is in charge; and I pray that God will forgive us for turning our backs on Him. I hope you will pray, too. Whether to God, Allah, Mother Earth or the Great Mystery, it doesn’t matter. Just pray.