One of the most inspiring experiences of my life was when I joined a few hundred thousand of my closest personal friends on the Mall in Washington DC to pray for our country. It was sponsored by the Promise Keepers and the motivation was 2 Chronicles 7:14; "If my people, which 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 will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
This event was held on Saturday, October 4, 1997. Coincidentally, this was also Rosh Hoshanah; beginning the ten days of atonement in the Jewish new year. A shofar or ram's horn was blown in the traditional call to meeting. This was a Christian prayer meeting and there were Jewish Christians in attendance as well as Native American Christians, African-American Christians, and plain old ordinary Christians.
There were a small number of women from the National Organization for Women who tried to disrupt the meeting. There were also a few politicians and they were invited to join anonymously. This was a non political prayer meeting in Washington DC, where some people believe everything must be political.
It was my privilege to lay my hands upon and pray for an ATF agent who nearly bled to death at Mt. Carmel in Waco TX. We were privileged to hear messages from Max Lucado, Tony Evans, and several other Godly men.
In 1780 George Washington developed a badge of merit to be awarded to non officers who displayed exceptional honor. Only three of these badges have been awarded. At the time the world only gave medals and badges to officers; but Washington was looking to create, in his words, "an honorable and Christian army". He was looking to build people of integrity, people who understood merit and honor. He said "the road to glory in a free country is open to all". It was the first time that anybody had ever done that, looking at the farmer and saying you don't have to be an officer to do something honorable. The Purple Heart was modeled after the badge of merit.
On August 28, the Saturday before Labor Day, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation will hold a fund raising event on the steps to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC named Reclaiming Honor. This non-profit provides support and assistance to the families of wounded and fallen special operations personnel. This includes 60,000 of America's elite troops such as Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets and Rangers, Air force combat controllers and Marine Corps special operators.
There will be a concert by Jo Dee Messina, winner of the CMA Horizon award. Gary Sinese, Marcus Lutrell, and Ted Nugent will be there to introduce the largest gathering of Medal of Honor winners ever.
This non-political, non-partisan event. I am sure there are some who will try to make this political because it is in Washington DC. Hopefully, the organizers will succeed in maintaining the anonymity of all politicians in attendance.
The approval rating of Congress is at an all time low. There are a record number of candidates running for seats in the November election. I have often said the people of the United States elect the representatives they deserve.
Apparently we deserve these venal, lying, self-serving jerks. It is time we reclaim our honor; individually and as a nation.
President Garfield (elected in 1880) said it best ; “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption.
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