"Over half a century ago," stated Solzhenitsyn, "while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: 'Men have forgotten God, that's why all this has happened.'"

"And if I were called upon to identify the principal trait of the entire twentieth century," Solzhenitsyn continued, "I would be unable to find anything more precise and pithy than to repeat: 'Men have forgotten God'."

Have we too, as a nation, forgotten God in our actions -- if not in our words?

As God said so long ago, "Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord" ... and continued:

"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 [reverence] 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 rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you" (Psalm 33:13-22).

Suggested prayer: "Gracious God, our Heavenly Father, our nation and the entire free world is in turmoil at this time. We have witnessed inhumane terrorism, the killing of hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent victims, the violent attack against the very freedoms that allow men, women and children to live in safety, love and security. We pray especially for all who have lost loved ones and are suffering terrible grief and loss. We pray for President Bush and the leaders of this great land that you will give them wisdom and discretion at this time, and the courage to do what is right  ... that the perpetrators and terrorists and all connected with them will be caught and brought to justice quickly. And we pray for these people too as much as we hate their dastardly acts, you have also died to save them. And above all we earnestly pray that you will send a great spiritual awakening across our country and around the world that men and women everywhere will turn to you as our only hope for the survival and salvation of mankind. Oh God grant that all will come to realize that blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and that without God we eventually perish. Forgive us for our national sins and send a great revival and let it begin in me. Gratefully in Jesus' name. Amen."