This One, Simple Act Could Spark Revival

 

This email is sent on behalf of our sponsor First Liberty Institute

Dear Friend, This one simple act just might spark Revival in our great nation. And you can be a part of it this fall. My name is Kelly Shackelford, and as a constitutional scholar who’s been in the fight for faith for over 30 years, I can tell you that last year we had one of the greatest Supreme Court victories come down in our lifetime. It changes how you and I can live out our faith. To give you a complete picture of how monumental this ruling is to faith in America, let me take you back to the 1850s and a renewal of hope that started because one man had the courage to obey God. The third great awakening started when laymen Jeremiah Lanphier led his first prayer meeting in New York City. He was acting in obedience to a calling that was placed on his heart to bring faith and hope to his community. On that historic day in September, six businessmen met and prayed for America. From this one meeting, a faith movement spread now known as The Businessmen’s Revival. In the following weeks and months, the group exploded to thousands gathering daily for these prayer meetings. This one man with prayer on his heart was the catalyst to surging hope in America. It’s estimated that one million souls found faith in the two-year span of this awakening. Learn How You Can Help Restore Faith In Your Community Back in February of this year, you may remember another movement sparked at Asbury University in Kentucky. What started as a regular chapel service turned into a massive gathering lasting for weeks. People who attended described the atmosphere as simple, peaceful worship, prayer and repentance. The college president calls it a spiritual awakening. Nearly 50,000 people from all over the country flocked to the campus. Today, I want to introduce you to what could be the next catalyst for Revival in America: Coach Joe Kennedy’s Supreme Court ruling. Nearly 10 years ago, one high school coach took a stand for faith by taking a knee in prayer, and he was fired for it. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coach Kennedy’s personal prayer on the 50-yard line after high school football games. Most people don’t realize this, but his case has caused a drastic shift in the law that opens up religious liberty for ALL Americans. This historic case reversed decades of bad legal precedent and hostility to religious expression. But this ruling doesn’t just apply to Coach Kennedy—every person of faith has the right to personal expressions of faith that can’t be censored. On Sept. 1, Coach Joe Kennedy returns to Bremerton High School for his first game following his Supreme Court win. To celebrate his comeback and exercise our right to prayer, we’re asking players, coaches and Americans nationwide to take a knee in personal private prayer on that day. We’re calling this prayer movement The First Freedom Challenge. We are challenging coaches, players, parents and fans all over the country to join Coach Kennedy by praying after a local high school game. But to jumpstart this prayer movement, it will take people of faith like you to first accept the challenge and second to get the word out by asking everyone you know to take the challenge. You Could Be the Catalyst That Brings Revival to Your Community. Will You Commit to Pray with Coach Kennedy on Friday, September 1st? This is a simple yet powerful step we can take to restore faith in our schools and communities. It could even help spark revival throughout our country. I pray and hope that you will join this challenge to exercise our God-given rights this fall. Yes! I will take the First Freedom Challenge » Gratefully, Kelly Kelly Shackelford President, CEO & Chief Counsel First Liberty Institute P.S. God has opened new doors for everyone to express their beliefs and live out their faith. Please share this email with anyone you think would want to seize this opportunity to help restore faith in America by committing to pray September 1! LEARN MORE First Liberty Institute is a nonprofit, charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It does not endorse or participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates. First Liberty conducts research and provides analysis on the effects of policy actions on religious liberty. This publication is intended to be used for informational, educational and reference purposes only.