Some days split time and history.

April 19, 1775.

When “a shot heard around the world” initiated the first battle of the American Revolution at the Battle of Lexington and Concord.

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December 7, 1941.

Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, which then-President F.D. Roosevelt said was ‘a date which will live in infamy.’

Sept. 11, 2001.

Three hijacked commercial jets smashed into buildings, killing multiple Americans in New York City and Washington, D.C. A fourth was downed by courageous passengers before it could hit its target: The White House.

Then-President George W. Bush told the nation, “America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”

As is common with events that change a nation, many of us remember where we were and what we thought and felt as we saw the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center fall and the gaping hole in the Pentagon.

Many of us — myself included — knew people who narrowly escaped death. One of my family members would have been in the damaged wing of the Pentagon…but for the grace of God.

Each of these dates plunged America into armed conflicts.

A war against tyranny.

A war against fascism.

A war against terror.

Americans came together to move in step against evil.

Rendering prayer unto the Lord.

Rendering aid to the injured.

Rendering blows to the enemy.

Lately, America has suffered from a sort of historical amnesia and distortion.

So it is more important than ever to hang onto the truth…the Truth…that defines our nation.

It is not true that our founders worshipped some sort of clock-maker, deist, “not going to intervene in their world” God.

It is not true that we are an irredeemably racist nation that needs to be leveled and stripped of all evidence of “colonial oppressors.”

It is not true that our economy, society, politics, and culture inveigh against the less fortunate.

It is true that our founders, though they loved the God of the Bible, failed to deal a death blow to slavery.

It is true that racism and discrimination continue to mar our society, but the Bible promises and delivers new creations in those who avail themselves of the transformation of the Blood of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

It is true that our economy, society, politics, and culture have evil underpinnings, but the American Dream is still available to those who — ala Horatio Alger — bend themselves to work hard and persevere.

Most especially, it is true that the Lord is not at all finished with America.

The Lord and His Christ have been guiding, forming, and shaping this land.

The Lord and His Christ have gone forth from this land to share salvation with millions across the globe.

Naysayers abound.

They point to national conflict to charge God with neglect…with abandonment…with evil intent.

To them, we say, God was with us in the chaos of April 19, 1775, of December 7, 1941, and of September 11, 2001.

The Great I AM never left us.

For all their calculations, the terrorists who struck the Twin Towers failed to calculate the impact an election day would have on the occupancy rate of the buildings. More than 50,000 were targeted; about 18,000 were in the towers at the time of the attack; 2,977 died, including the 19 terrorists.

Though the effects of September 11 continue to claim lives as diseases linked to the rescue efforts ravage many, Al-Qaeda claimed far fewer lives than it expected.

As you know from Scripture, the Lord reveals His plans to His prophets. And He revealed His plans to receive glory from this heinous and barbarous attack on America. Check out Rich Swingle’s Memorials of Answered Prayers from 9/11.

Vigilance is still required.

America’s enemies are numerous.

Like many of you, my spiritual warfare team has been praying for years against attack — especially from the East. More recently, one of my pastors had a dream of Chinese naval ships off the coast of the Carolinas.

Given the saber-rattling we saw recently with China, Russia, and North Korea, this type of armed attack is not impossible.

But external threats are easier to rally against.

When the rot is internal, the enemy is much more difficult to fight.

Though Islamic nations, such as Iran, hoped and still hope to kill Americans, their agents are also infiltrating and indoctrinating.

Sanitizing Islamic doctrine has been going on in the media since September 11, 2001. Even then-President George W. Bush contributed to this, saying, “The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace.”

Many Muslims claim Islam’s text calls for peace with non-Muslims.

An expert in Islamic history and doctrine, Raymond Ibrahim disagrees, saying the key principles of concern for non-Muslims are the three pillars: “hate for, jihad against, and dhimmitude [an enslaving status] of non-Muslims.”

Hard evidence also shows an alarming lack of freedom in Islamic nations.

Another danger is the steady march of Marxism through higher education into the voting habits of university elites.

An evil marriage of convenience has knit Islamists with Marxists.

Many Islamists and Marxists have won seats in national office and are biding their time to “globalize the intifada,” as Angela Rodriguez wrote in her IFA article in late August.

It can be daunting…

But God.

God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…that God is on His throne.

The same God who led a ragtag army to fire that shot heard around the world.

The same God who led a reluctant nation to fight demonically inspired fascists in the aftermath of a day of infamy.

The same God who established America as the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world.

And the God who will not allow anything to douse His Light.

In many Islamic and communist nations, it is difficult — even impossible to share God’s Light. So let us seize this moment when Muslims and Marxists flood this nation to witness to them, pray for them, and lead them to Christ.

Decree that the Lord turn the out-of-control immigration and university campuses to the good for nothing is impossible with Him.

Lord, protect us from external and internal enemies so that America remains a beacon of the True Light, sharing Christ around the globe.

Help us persist in prayer, leading millions to You, in Jesus’ Name.

Post your prayer for Muslims and Marxists.

New York City–based Joyce Swingle is an intercessor and a contributing writer for IFA. With her husband, Rich, who is also a contributing writer for IFA, Joyce shares the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world through theater, speaking, writing, and film. Prior to going into full-time ministry, Joyce worked for close to 20 major magazines and now works in pastoral ministry and Christian counseling. www.RichDrama.com. Photo Credit: