America’s Founding Faith – 4 Ways
You Can Bring it Back!
Have you noticed something missing?
You won’t hear about it in the news. It’s been scrubbed from history books and called a “myth” in too many schools.
“It” is the faith of our Founding Fathers – and it’s one of the best-kept secrets these days. Moms, you know about the founding documents, letters, and journals packed with faith-filled clues and quotes. Those records even recount outright miracles throughout America’s story.
An internet search of “faith of America’s founders” is filled with sources that deny Christian faith played into our history at all. It’s gotten that crazy!
Thankfully, there is hope! As moms our influence on the next generation can’t be overstated. You have the power to protect your kids from being fooled by these exclusions and lies.
Here is our guide to how to reclaim America’s founding faith with 4 ways you can bring it back for your family:
1. Daily – Read the Bible Together
It may already be a part of your daily routine. If not, you may wonder why this tops the list. Without laying the groundwork in your own family, there’s no way to grasp the concepts and principles that fueled our Founders. Your simple effort to read the Bible together will help them relate to God’s miracles throughout US history.
It can be as easy as sharing a Bible passage at breakfast or dinner, or it can be part of the bedtime ritual. You will know best how this can fit into your family’s busy day.
2. Weekly – Share a Faith Story from America’s History
Every week, find a time to make some popcorn and gather the kids for a faith story from America’s history. Make it a special time together. It could be part of your regular Sunday plans, or even Friday evening while unwinding from a long week. Make sure to allow for a few minutes to talk about the story together after it’s read.
Here’s where you can find some amazing stories:
- The Miracle of America: Birth of a Nation Brian P. Trotter, William S. Norton, Helen Thomas Robson
- In God We Trust: Stories of Faith in American History, Timothy Crater, Ranelda Hunsicker
- Miracles in American History: 32 Amazing Stories of Answered Prayer, Susie Federer
- God’s Hand on America: Divine Providence in the Modern Era, Michael Medved
3. Monthly: Celebrate Holidays with America’s History of Faith
You know the standard holidays like Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veteran’s Day, but go the extra mile and look up the day’s history and create a plan. You could include an outing, special food, or a craft if you have little ones. Talk about the importance of the day and any faith stories you can find.
For example, if you use 9/11 as the day to highlight in September, you might talk about the return to prayer when our devastated nation turned to God. Or consider Martin Luther King Day in January. Many inspiring writings and stories tell how faith drove his work in the Civil Rights Movement.
What about the months that don’t have one of the main patriotic holidays?
Believe it or not, there are many other noteworthy days to consider. While you may want to steer clear of “National Get Over it Day” and “National Tater Tot Day.” (Yes, those are actual days!) Other commemorations on the calendar include Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, K-9 Veterans, and many more. Dig into the remarkable people behind these lesser-known dates. Be creative and celebrate holidays with America’s history of faith!
Here are some ideas:
January – Martin Luther King Day
February – President’s Day
March – National Medal of Honor Day
April – Emancipation Day
May – Memorial Day
June – Flag Day
July – Independence Day
August – Purple Heart Day
September – Constitution Day
October – Columbus Day
November – Thanksgiving Day
December – Christmas Day
4. Annually: Plan a Family Getaway to Experience American History
Plan your own adventure. Where to go and what to do depends entirely on your family’s budget and preference. Are you near any historic sites? If you’re in the northeast, there are plenty of choices. If you’re out west, you could trek to Mount Rushmore, or other historic sites. It could be a sweet memory your family holds forever when you plan a family getaway to experience American history up close!
Boston’s Old South Church was ground zero for a miracle in 1746. Juleen Jackson, Vice President, Cottage Meetings, for Moms for America, recounted that story and her visit to that historic church in the Cottage Meeting video, Foundation of Faith.
The most powerful fleet in the world sailed toward the city, boasting 70 ships and 10,000 soldiers, and a plan to destroy Boston. From the pulpit of Old South Church, Reverend Thomas Paine raised his hands and called to God for help. Though the morning had been calm and sunny, his prayer for God’s “tempest” was answered with a quickly darkening sky and a hurricane that routed the attack. Incidentally, 10-year-old future president John Adams witnessed that act of God. What an amazing place to visit!
Jackson was surprised to find that the tour guide and others who worked there knew nothing of this miracle that saved the city.
We can’t let these historic acts of God fade from memory!
We Can Help
Unpack the truth about the faith of our founders. Uncover the history of believers who walk through its pages. You can get more ideas (and share yours!) by joining a Cottage Meeting in your area or online. It might also help to dive into our Healing of America Virtual Series.
George Washington wrote, “I am sure there never was a people who had more reason to acknowledge a divine interposition in their affairs than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency which was so often manifested during our Revolution – or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them.”1
Your efforts, big or small, will make a lasting impact, mamas. All that you do will ensure that your children carry the faith of our founders with them to their generation and the next.
1 From George Washington to John Armstrong, 11 March 1792. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-10-02-0044
