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The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays every year. This is the one holiday that my wife and I host at our little Celanese home. I love the fireworks. I love grilling with my friends. I love the patriotic music. As I said, I love the Fourth of July.

As a Christian, there are some thoughts that come into my mind every year when I reflect on the country I celebrate. The first one is related to a passage of Scripture in 1 Timothy 2. It reads, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.� This gives me some instruction on who I should be regularly praying for. The two groups who are mentioned are “all people� and those who are in “high positions.� What better time to pray for these two groups than the week of July 4th? I am particularly thinking about praying for those in high positions right now.

ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý no secret that the leaders of our nation need prayer. They face some of the most significant decisions every day. The decisions they make affect a multitude of people. If I were in that position, I would want people to be praying for me. I would hope that people were asking God to give me wisdom every day. So, letÐÔÊӽ紫ý be a people that prays for our leaders. I don’t care what political party you are aligned with. I’m not making a comment on that. However, I am saying that we have a biblical mandate to pray for our leaders. LetÐÔÊӽ紫ý be obedient to it.

The second thought I have is related to a statement in Philippians 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.� While I am a proud citizen of the United States, I am more inclined to identify myself as a citizen of heaven. My citizenship in heaven is more appealing to me for one primary reason: my heavenly King is perfect. He is altogether good, righteous, loving, just, and honorable. His kingdom is one that will last forever, and it is more desirable than any earthly nation.

I praise God for this earthly country I am a part of, but my eyes are fixed on heaven. The best part is that because of JesusÐÔÊӽ紫ý sacrifice, you can also be a citizen of this perfect kingdom too! Call upon the name of the Lord today.