Over the past 20 years, America has been through a lot. Actually, America has been through a lot ever since it became a country. We have also had some really awesome things happen. Sometimes, like the past couple of weeks, the bad outweighs the good. As stated in our Pledge of Allegiance, we are "One nation, Under God," and I think we should take this more seriously. Our Heavenly Father has proved over and over again that He is faithful, He loves us unconditionally, and He wants good for us. Let's take our problems and our country's problems to Him. Let's pray hard for America and all that we are going through right now. Here are some ideas:

1. First of all, let's thank God for this amazing country He has blessed us with. We are a FREE country. All too often we take this for granted because it is the norm for us. However, some other countries are not as lucky as us Americans. Let's also thank God for the amazing people He has placed here. Let's thank Him for our government, even if it is not perfect. No nation or government on this planet is anywhere near perfect. We have to embrace that.

2. Let's pray for our leaders. Pray that God will guide them in their very important decisions. Pray that God's will be done in every aspect of our country. His plan for us, which includes our nation, is so much greater than any plan we could ever come up with. Pray that they will lead this country in a way that will glorify God and keep our people's best interest in mind. Sometimes we don't agree with the decisions that our leaders make, but the best thing we can do about it is to pray.

3. Let's pray for our fellow citizens. Let's love them like Jesus does, no matter their background or beliefs. After all, Jesus loves us even though we sin daily. Let's pray that those who do not know God will come to know Him and love Him fiercely. Let's pray that our citizens will be rational and not act on emotions and false information.

4. Let's trust God. He is sovereign over us. He is sovereign over our nation, this world, and the whole universe. He is powerful beyond our understanding. He also knows what to do with His power. And lucky for us, He loves us and uses His power to protect us and bless us. How awesome is our Father. If He can create this world and all of us on it, He can surely lead our nation with no problem at all.

Psalms 33:1-22 (NIV) speaks to my heart about our great nation. It says:

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth, he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

No matter what happens in the world or in America, I will rest in the fact that my God is faithful and that His love for us is unfailing; He will never leave us or forsake us. It is very possible that tragic and bad things will happen in the world and America in the near future. Put your hope in Him and pray nonstop. I am confident that He will remain faithful and will work wonders.