'I have a strong hope for America because her future rests not on strong economics but on strong faith and morals.'

David Barton is founder and president of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.

WallBuilders seeks to energize the grassroots to become involved in strengthening their communities, states and nation.

Barton is an expert in historical and constitutional issues and has participated in several cases at the Supreme Court. He is the author of numerous best-selling books and speaks to more than 400 groups each year. He recently took time to talk with Jennifer Mesko.

1. You are a student of history. Will you please remind us what the first Thanksgiving was all about?

The tradition introduced by European Americans of Thanksgiving as a time to focus on God and His blessings dates back over four centuries. But it is primarily from the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving celebration of 1621 that we derive the tradition of Thanksgiving Day.

The Pilgrims set sail for America on Sept. 6, 1620, and for two months braved the harsh elements of a storm-tossed sea. Upon disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they held a prayer service and then hastily began building shelters; however, unprepared for such a harsh New England winter, nearly half of them died before spring. Emerging from that grueling winter, the Pilgrims were surprised when an Indian named Samoset approached them and greeted them in their own language, explaining to them he had learned English from fishermen and traders.

A week later, Samoset returned with a friend named Squanto, who lived with the Pilgrims and accepted their Christian faith. Squanto taught the Pilgrims much about how to live in the New World. That summer, the Pilgrims reaped a bountiful harvest and declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends — America’s first Thanksgiving Festival. Ninety Wampanoag Indians joined the 50 Pilgrims for three days of feasting.

The Pilgrim practice of designating a time of Thanksgiving spread into neighboring colonies and became an annual tradition. America’s first national Thanksgiving occurred in 1789. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt began celebrating Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of each November, and in 1941, Congress permanently established that day as the national Thanksgiving holiday.

2. Why do you have hope for America, even in these rough economic times?

I have a strong hope for America because her future rests not on strong economics but on strong faith and morals. Proverbs 14:34 properly reminds us that righteousness – not economics – exalts a nation; and in the book of Matthew when the disciples were concerned about their food, clothing, income, lands and homes, Jesus reminded them if they “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” then all of these “other things” would be added to them (Matthew 6:33).

If a nation pursues economics over righteousness, it will lose both; the only way to preserve economic prosperity is by pursuing righteousness. In every major category of faith and values, America shows a deep strength. They strongly embrace traditional values and expressions of faith, and this is a cause of great hope for the future of America.

3. What is your message for Americans, as you address thousands of them every year?

The theme of my general message reflects a declaration attributed to President Woodrow Wilson: “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we don’t know where we have come from, or what we have been about.” The Bible clearly teaches that the way people view their own history affects the way they behave. God wants us to know our history and learn its lessons.

At WallBuilders, we present American history, and we do so with a Providential perspective. In short, history not only shows God’s workings and plans but it also demonstrates the effectiveness of biblical principles when applied to church, education, government, economics, family, entertainment, military or any other aspect of life.

4. One of our goals at CitizenLink is to energize the grassroots. Explain how WallBuilders also seeks to do that.

America will only be healthy from the bottom up, not the top down. The book of Nehemiah is the account of the largest organized grassroots effort in the Scriptures. In that account, Nehemiah admonished the people: “Look at the distress we are in; come, let us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” (paraphrased from Nehemiah 2:17).  At the beginning, they all believed they were engaged in a futile enterprise, but when they all engaged in the rebuilding, they found that in a remarkable 52 days they had fully accomplished what they originally believed to be an impossible undertaking.

In America, we often choose our school boards and mayors with only a 3 to 6 percent (voter) turnout. This is not healthy. The book of Nehemiah is our model: get citizens involved in rebuilding their communities, states and nation by their involvement — that is, by grassroots activity.

5. How should we pray for America?

We should pray “first of all” for our leaders and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We should pray for wisdom for them (James 1:5) and that God would give them good staff and righteous counselors.

Pray also that God would uncover and thwart the plans of the enemy against America, just as He did for Israel. Pray, too, for boldness for God’s people who are in visible places. And also pray that in government  — and throughout our institutions from churches to schools, from media to business — that He would bring to light the hidden things of darkness so righteousness might exalt the nation.

Also, pray for the next generation — our coming leaders in every arena — that God would preserve them from all plans laid against them to waylay or distract them from what God is preparing for them to do 20 years from now. Reported by Jennifer Mesko.

Opinions expressed in 'Perspectives' columns published by CentersForDecency.org are the sole responsibility of the article's author(s), or of the person(s) or organization(s) quoted therein, and do not necessarily represent those of the staff or management of, or advertisers who support the CfD.  If you wish to contact CfD - call 713-266-2715 or write: 1415 South Voss Road, #110-393, Houston, Texas 77057.  We also appreciate your Comments@CentersForDecency.Org.