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The Word of God is clear: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.” (Psalms 33:12)

Why 30 April? Why a National Day of Repentance on that date each year? It is to continue, to revive, the “sacred fire of liberty” spoken of and demonstrated by the first United States President, George Washington, a date also picked by later men of God in national office, such as President Lincoln.

30 April was the day in 1789 when President Washington took the oath of office and, showing his devotion, added the phrase, “So help me, God!” And that was the Day he referenced in his brief inaugural address the “sacred fire of liberty” as the foundation of the “experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

That confirmed an earlier statement George Washington made, having been selected in 1787 as head of the Constitutional Convention: “Let us set up a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the event is in the Hand of God.”

Sacred Fire

Washington’s devotion to the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is found in his diary as a young man and also in this portion of His short but powerful Inauguration speech, including a reference to “the sacred fire of liberty”:

“… the foundation of our national policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality, and the preeminence of free government be exemplified by all the attributes which can win the affections of its citizens and command the respect of the world.

I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”

30 April was then selected by President Lincoln in 1863 as a “National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer.” God’s blessings shortly thereafter led to a key battle victory, leading to the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery.

30 April 1974 was then voted upon unanimously by the United States Senate to be another “National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer,” based on the language of President Lincoln’s Declaration, but was not passed by the House of Representatives; they were involved with the Watergate scandal, voting to impeach then-President Nixon. The date was not held.

Turning to God

The last National Day of Humiliation [or Repentance] was held in 1918, helping to end World War 1. Starting with the Pilgrims, over 800 days of repentance have been held in the colonies and in America.  The founders knew and used the Word of God:

“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ”
(2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

To revive the Godly roots, the sacred fire of liberty, planted by our forefathers in this nation a grassroots National Day of Repentance has been held each year since 2012. We honour those repenting in their prayer closets that Day, and we also network with pastors to invite them to teach and exemplify repentance with their congregations on that Day.

Congress has approved a National Day of Prayer each year on the first Thursday of May. Repentance is necessary for prayers to be heard (Psalm 66:18). Thus, the ongoing 30 April National Day of Repentance is always a few days prior to each year’s National Day of Prayer.

Australia has stood with the USA every 30 April since 2012 for this National Day of Repentance. They are doing so this year, calling for three days of Prayer and Fasting for the USA from 30 April to 2 May to support our USA National Day of Repentance (30 April) and the USA National Day of Prayer (2 May). Furthermore, from 8 p.m. on Thursday 2 May, we will have a time of 24/7 Prayer, Praise and Worship on Zoom for the USA.

We here in America are deeply appreciative of your prayers!

More information is at the Global Day of Repentance website.