Happy July 4th!

Around America today, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. But what does that mean, exactly? In reality, there would be no celebrations today without the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Regardless of the nationwide hype about the 250th, it is this Declaration of Independence, signed by 56 Americans, that catches my attention.

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In 1776, Congressmen Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston drafted a document articulating the intent and reasons for the dissolution of the political and legal bonds between the American colonists and the British government. In language so extraordinary and provocative, the Declaration of Independence is one of the most radical manuscripts ever written. On July 4, 1776, when the Congressional delegates affixed their signatures to the document, they established a new and sovereign nation.

In alignment with IFA’s efforts to rededicate our country and reclaim our Christian roots, I analyze specific words from this seminal United States document. While the language and intent of the entire document have been the subject of much debate, contention, and even offense, there are extremely important words for governmental intercessors that require our focused and prayerful attention. 

Words are important. With words, the Lord spoke the universe into being (Gen. 1:1; John 1:3). He gave us His Word in written form (2 Timothy 3:16). His Word is life to us (Psalm 119:50). His Words are eternal (John 6:68). His Word is alive and active now (Hebrews 4:12). His Word goes forth and accomplishes what He desires (Isaiah 55:11). With words, the Lord commands intercessors to partner with Him and to bind and loose on earth what He has made known from heaven (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).

With that biblical understanding and background, the following 35 words have not only proven provocative, launching a new nation, but also provided intercessors with a foundation for prayer:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.[1] 

The word “self-evident” here refers to the truths that the signers will subsequently articulate. The term, in this context, means that the truths which follow are apparent in themselves, without the need for proof or reason, and that they are unmistakable to know and understand.[2] Later in the Declaration, the signers appealed to the “Supreme Judge of the world”[3] for divine protection and recognition of the integrity of their intentions. Well, we know the Supreme Judge and the Author of Truth: Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).[4] Intercessors have a clear mandate to approach the Throne of Heaven on behalf of the self-evident truths expressed in the Declaration of Independence. In doing so, intercessors not only align with the signers’ prayers and intentions but also affirm and yield to the Truth and authority of Scripture as the foundation for prayer over our nation. Stand and pray for the nation with the belt of Truth surrounding you (Ephesians 6:14).

Next, the signers declared “all men are created equal,” which aligns with several scriptural references. In Genesis 1:27, it is written, So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Ezekiel 18:4 says, “Behold, all souls are mine.” And, in Colossians 3:11, the Apostle Paul states, there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 

Based on these scriptures, intercessors may rightly declare that God created two biological sexes and that these sexes are made in the image of God. Intercessors may declare in faith and believe for the salvation of all souls that the Lord puts on their hearts. Finally, while there are only two biological sexes, both male and female believers are free and have equal access to the Throne Room of Heaven, and the spiritual gifts are given to all believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). 

The signers next declared “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” In this phrase, the signers recognized the Creator of humanity. “Endowed” means to provide something naturally or to bless. The term “certain” has several definitions that may apply in this instance: it means settled or fixed, reliable, dependable, and indisputable. And what did the signers assert as certain? “Unalienable rights,” which means rights that cannot be taken away. Therefore, intercessors may align their prayers in accordance with Scripture and declare dependence on God’s gifts to the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Corinthians 12). They may proclaim the Truths of God’s Word where evil forces of wickedness have sought to diminish, shut down, or render moot the body of believers in America. They may rightly take back what was stolen from their lives, families, churches, and this nation (Prov. 6:31). Intercessors may renounce and dismantle the authority of the enemy by humbling themselves and rededicating and recommitting the land to the Lord (1 Chronicles 7:14).

Finally, the signers articulated those certain, unalienable rights: “that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” These terms had meaning for the signers, just as they do for us today. “Life” means alive, not dead; life is sentient, not artificial. At the signing, “liberty” meant freedom from the atrocities of a tyrannical British government. This term still means freedom from a tyrannical government, but when taken together with the phrase “all men are created equal,” it acknowledges freedom for all. “Liberty” is a concept we uphold in America, and our U.S. Constitution clearly spells out the liberties all Americans have. The term “pursuit of happiness” could have meant the ability to conduct commerce or to hold private property. Scholars have yet to reach a consensus; however, several sources make clear that the signers intended the term to mean “the fundamental duty or obligation of all to respect the rights of others” (Arne et al., 2021, p. 11).[5] In other words, the acknowledgment and establishment of fundamental moral law in our nation.[6],[7]

By these declared statements, intercessors may proclaim life as an intended right at the inception of our nation and a right for every unborn American. In fact, the Scriptures make clear that life begins even before conception (Psalm 139:16; Jer. 1:5), so we are on solid spiritual ground. Intercessors may declare liberty as a right in alignment with Scripture (Isaiah 61:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Liberty is for all believers, and intercessors may declare liberty not only for those caught in current human trafficking but also for those trapped in mental and physical addictions as well as liberty and deliverance from spiritual forces of wickedness (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:15). And, in terms of the pursuit of happiness, intercessors might pray in alignment with scriptures that connect the words “blessed” and “happy.” For example, in Genesis 30:13, after giving birth to Asher, Leah states: “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” Or some translations use “happy,” while others use “blessed,” as in Matthew 5:3-10 or Psalm 1 (e.g., AMP, ESV, or CSB). Intercessors might align prayers with Psalm 37:4, which states: Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart, because we know that the Lord told us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:1). And, Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

To sum up, the signers acknowledged the truth of the Creator of humanity, who bestowed rights upon men and women because they are made in His image. We have a right to life, to liberty, and to pursue happiness within the moral fabric established in the Word of God. These rights are fixed, indisputable, and unable to be taken away. 

With these few words, the signers established their intentions not only to govern themselves but also to set a standard for future generations of Americans to regard as worthy and precious. And that is what we are doing today. 

In the natural world, we continuously fight for these articulated rights and for the Declaration of Independence to remain a critical document in our country. And we continue to fight in the spiritual realm, too. We rededicate, reclaim, and realign our words with the Lord’s, especially as they relate to the fundamental documents of our nation. My remarks are for the brave and courageous Intercessors of America who are standing in the gap, repenting, and calling upon Almighty God to have mercy upon our nation. They are for the intercessors who ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit to revive, restore, and awaken new generations of godly and god-fearing Americans. 

Intercessors: The King of the Universe declares that all humanity is made in His image. He provides unlimited access to the Throne Room of Heaven. He bestows His spiritual gifts for the furtherance of His Kingdom. He pours out His wisdom liberally. Stand firm and declare the Word of God as you rededicate your home, your church, the nation, and the Declaration of Independence back to God. Pray what you know to be the Truth of Scripture. Today, celebrate your freedom in Christ and in this land. In your prayers, declare the nation’s dependence on the Word of God.

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26)

[1] “Declaration of Independence,” National Archives, accessed July 1, 2026, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

[2] Definitions from Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, https://www.merriam-webster.com/

[3] “Declaration of Independence,” National Archives, accessed July 1, 2026, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

[4] Scripture references from Bible Gateway, New King James Version, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%203%3A11&version=NKJV

[5] Arne, L. P., Swain, C., & Spalding, M. (2021). The 1776 Report: With a preface, notes, and commentary by Larry P. Arne, Carol Swain, and Matthew Spalding. Encounter Books.

[6] West, J. (2026). Endowed by our Creator: The Bible, science, and the battle for America’s soul. Discovery Institute Press.

[7] Arne, L. P., Swain, C., & Spalding, M. (2021). The 1776 Report: With a preface, notes, and commentary by Larry P. Arne, Carol Swain, and Matthew Spalding. Encounter Books.

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Dr. Dianna Sand teaches at a Christian university. Her research and scholarship focus on literacy and literacy assessment in higher education. Her heart is to know the Word of God and to equip college and university students to fulfill the purposes of God in their lives. As an IFA Contributing Writer, Dr. Sand writes about the biblical worldview and its intersection in cultural, educational, and governmental venues. Photo Credit: wingedwolf/Getty Images via Canva Teams.