For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.—1 Peter 2:16-NLT

The concept of freedom is one that most Americans would claim to comprehend. But after generations of living free, do we really understand what would be lost if just a piece of our freedom were taken away?

Remember the days just after September 11, 2001?

The airlines where shut down, and air travel suffered for months.
Professional football games were postponed.
Large events were canceled.
The security measures implemented since then have cost billions of dollars and demanded countless hours.

Imagine what life would be like if we suffered a barrage of suicide bombers, truck bombs and armed assaults similar to what happens in places like Iraq and Israel.

An old saying warns that you don’t know what you have until it is gone. Truly, we take so much for granted in this country that it is easy to loose sight of how much is at stake. We must not allow terrorist to shut us down and isolate us from the rest of the world. Our soldiers are risking (and some losing) their lives to protect our freedom. The rest of us must do our part to secure the future for our children and grandchildren, not only for the sake of our loved ones, but also for the sake of freedom.

This is where our prayers for freedom and protection, not just for America, but for all those other countries like Darfur, and Israel etc. that suffer through terror everyday, become very important. We must pray for the protection of this Country. God is waiting to here from us about everything that concerns us.

Prayer for Today

Thank You, Lord for the freedom we enjoy in this country. You have blessed us beyond what we deserve. Thank you for the gifts of transportation, recreation, financial security and so much more. We are guilty of taking Your blessings for granted. Remind us continually of how You protect us and cause us to prosper. Help us not to squander the freedom You have bestowed upon us. Help us to protect it as the treasure that it is.

Verses for additional study 

Psalm 91

Psalm 100