This fourth of July in Washington, D.C., I realized that there is a key missing ingredient in America today that could make all the difference.

Have you taken your place on the wall?

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In our political discourse, decision making, and even the way we view ourselves and our history, we have lost something…

Gratitude.

Insider Intercessory Information

On the fourth of July, I headed to the national mall in Washington, D.C. for fun and fireworks with friends. The national mall is not a shopping center, but is the long stretch of manicured grass that stretches from the U.S. Capitol through the Washington Monument, WWII Memorial and reflecting pool before ending at the Lincoln Memorial.

The evening fireworks display brought all kinds of local residents out to celebrate Independence day. The grassy mall filled and was soon brimming with Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, white, black, Asian and more.

For a brief moment, a few sunny, fun-filled hours, we were all simply brothers, citizens of the same beautiful country. There was no talk of institutional racism, misogyny, “the libs,” the woke agenda, the liberal media, Donald Trump, or anything else.

Though I talked that day with all political parties and people working in various government positions, that faded in importance.

We were simply Americans on sunny day relaxing on the national mall. Our freedoms seemed safe, and we enjoyed one another, regardless of our place in life.

I’ve meditated on that moment…what was it that brought us all together in such pure unity? And why is it that such a moment feels so rare nowadays?

The answer? Gratitude.

On the mall, we all seemed grateful for the holiday, the weather, the freedom to enjoy one another. That unified gratitude was a beautiful, but sadly rare feeling.

I believe our nation has lost gratitude for what we have been given.

In all our reflecting on the mistakes of our country’s past, we have lost gratitude for those who sacrificed to give us what we do have. In all our attacks on the mistakes of the church, we have lost gratitude for our rich, spiritual heritage. We have forgotten the many blessings we have in this nation today, far more than any people have had before us.

In all our accusations across party lines, we have lost thankfulness for one another, our fellow citizens. In all the fretting over our government’s faults, we have lost gratitude for our system that allows debate and discourse with checks and balances and the will of the people.

Maybe it is time to return to gratitude.

Let us contend in prayer for a resurgence of gratitude in our nation.

And let us repent for ways we have partnered with complaints, criticism and negativity instead of thankfulness.

It may be that a return of gratitude for what we have cures a root issue that in turn solves a whole host of issues that we never thought possible.

With that in mind, let us pray:

-Father, we repent for how we have become insolent, ungrateful and hard hearted. We take for granted what we have. Forgive us, Lord!

-Father fill us with your gratitude by your Spirit, Lord. Flood our nation with gratitude again, thankfulness for our freedoms and the blessings you have given us.

-Thank you, Lord! You have given us so much. You have given us amazing prosperity, national security, freedoms, limited government, health, technology, education, and so much more for so long. Thank you!

Verses to press into as you pray on this issue:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

-Psalm 133:1

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

-1 Thessalonians 5:18

Are you grateful for your country and your fellow Americans? Share your thoughts and prayers below.

Casey Harper is a writer in the Washington, D.C. area covering national politics. He has worked for The Daily Caller, The Hill, and Sinclair Broadcast Group. A graduate of Hillsdale College, Casey’s work has also appeared in Fox News, Fox Business, Washington Examiner, and USA Today. Follow him on Twitter: @CaseyHarper33. Photo Credit: Helena Lopes on Unsplash.