Freshman
Representative Says Prayer Needed to Solve America’s Problems
Thursday, May 05, 2011
cns news
(CNSNews.com) – Rep. Allen West, a freshman
Republican congressman from Florida, told guests and colleagues attending the
60th National Day of Prayer on Thursday on Capitol Hill that America is
“rooted” in its Judeo-Christian faith and that prayer is needed to solve the
nation’s problems.
“This
General George
Washington, West said, was famously portrayed as he prayed at
Thomas Jefferson,
noted West, spoke of the consequences of turning away
from God when he said, "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure
when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the
people that these liberties are the gift of God?”
West also said that Americans have always turned to God in times of
trouble.
“When the
foundations of
West, who served
in the U.S. Army for 22 years, including two tours in
“On this National
Day of Prayer, I can attest without any doubt that before those brave warriors
launched their mission, they prayed,” West said. “Prayer is the means by which
we can find refuge in our Lord God as we face trials, tribulations, and
tumultuous times.”
West said that
Americans should turn to prayer now to solve the nation’s problems, including
praying for “economic security and the blessings of long-term sustainable job
growth policies.”
He also said
Americans should pray for national security, individual liberty, restoration of the family and for “the sanctity of innocent
life.”
“We must pray as it states in II Chronicles 7:14, ‘If my people who are called
by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and heal their land,’” West said.
The three-hour
worship service, held in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building on
Capitol Hill, included prayers for the executive branch of the U.S. government,
the Supreme Court judges, and the legislators in the House and the Senate.
Prayers were also offered for all branches of the
Music was also a
part of the service, including a performance by singer/songwriter Ginny Owens,
an award-winning contemporary Christian artist who has been blind since she was
2.
The keynote
speaker at the event was Joni Eareckson Tada, who was
paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident in 1967. Despite her
disability – and battling breast cancer – Eareckson
Tada is an author, a “mouth artist” who paints holding a paintbrush in her
teeth, and has traveled the world for her Christian ministry and to help other
people with disabilities.
She said Christians
have a responsibility to take care of the poor, hungry, orphaned and disabled,
and to do their part to make the world a better place “for the good of man and
the glory of Jesus Christ.”
She said no matter
what challenges we face as Americans, there is reason for optimism.
“So let’s get up,
brush off the dust and get back in the game with drive and energy because God
is on his throne and Jesus is at his right hand,” Eareckson
said.