When I retired in 1999 after 33 years of employment, Tommy thought I had retired too young so he decided, in  keeping with the Lofton tradition, "to put me to work" by writing an article for the company newsletter...and I have loved doing it! Often I have written about past and current events in our country's history that have had an impact on our nation, such as The Great Depression back in 1933 when Roosevelt stated, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Americans responded with faith and optimism that not only brought them out of the Depression, but gave them the courage and fortitude to triumph in World War II. While many prayed that we would never be put to the test again, the events of September 11, 2001 and other events since then, including the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, have reminded us not to take our blessings for granted.   

In Decision Magazine, April 2020,  Franklin Graham notes that the virus has created  "widespread panic and alarm like he has seldom seen before - if ever!  None of us," he adds, "know when this pandemic will end, but we can choose to live in faith, not fear - faith in a God who cares for us, loves us, is in control of every detail, and who will never leave us or forsake us." Quoting the Apostle Paul, Franklin concludes with "nothing (including a virus) can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35, 38-39).  

As I read Franklin's comments, I was reminded of a scripture that has meant a lot to me during these troubled times: "If My people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and  forgive their sin, and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV).  

Prayer for our nation has a strong foundation.  The first day of prayer was declared by the Continental Congress in 1775 based on a motion by Benjamin Franklin: "I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business..."  Years later our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, would say, "America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety.  I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's alright to keep asking if we're on His side."  In 1988 he signed a bill marking the first Thursday of May a National Day of Prayer.  

Throughout history, the faith of the American people has been captured beautifully in our music. One etched in my memory is God Bless America composed by Irving Berlin and first sung by Kate Smith in 1938.  Irving Berlin, who immigrated to America as a small boy with his family, gave credit for the title to his mother who often stated, "God Bless America" for giving us a home when we fled from Russia. The song captured the heart of the American people prior to, during, and after World War II, and earned Berlin the Army's Medal of Merit from President Truman, the Congressional Gold Medal from President Eisenhower, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Gerald Ford. The lyrics have been inserted into the Congressional Record and are still relevant for our world today:  

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God bless America, Land that I love.
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.  

To this song, I would like to add one more line..."And heal our land - physically and spiritually! Amen!"  

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