Wednesday, July 1
Rev. Dr. Fahed AbuAkel
“For kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
The scripture is very clear for all believers to pray for people in authority. During my prayer time, I am committed to praying for our city, county, state, and nation and all our elected people.
Today I want to share with you four snapshots of four different experiences I had here in the United States and why, as a result, I celebrate Independence Day each year.
January 29, 1966, I arrived in New York at JFK airport and then flew to the small Tampa, FL airport. From there I took a Taxi to Lakeland, FL to attend South Eastern Bible College (now Southeastern University).
March 10, 1981, the day I became a citizen of the United States of America, was the most freeing experience in my life. Imagine: I am a new immigrant and free in my adopted country more than the place of my birth in Galilee, Israel. Most U.S. citizens take their citizenship for granted. Immigrants who have been granted citizenship have a very different experience with what it means to make a home in the “land of the free.”
June 15, 2002, as an ordained minister, I was elected Moderator of the 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Columbus, Ohio during our opening meeting. That means an International student from Palestine, who came to the United States to study, who received an undergraduate degree, a Master of Divinity and then a Doctor of Ministry, who was ordained a Presbyterian minister and then became a citizen thirty-six years after his arrival was elected to the highest position in the national PCUSA Church. During that year, I traveled and represented our Presbyterian denomination all over the country, and all around the world! Are you aware that a story like mine can only happen here, in our country? Praise the name of the Lord Jesus the Christ.
July 4, 2020, with all of you I celebrate our Independence Day and thank God for our freedom, liberty and political system, even with our flaws. I know that we are not a perfect nation, and we continue to work on improving our union.
Question: Do you take time to pray for our elected women and men and all the people who work day and night to preserve our freedom?
Let us pray: Loving and living God, thank you for your love in Jesus who came to this earth to save us from our sin and free us to become citizens of the kingdom of God. Thank you for all our elected leaders, and for our nation, and help us to be a caring, loving and compassionate people. May we never forget the poor in our midst. For in Jesus name we pray, Amen.
