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Today is the National Day of Prayer — a reminder that faith, freedom, and fellowship still matter in America.
It is also a reminder of the proper order of the American way of life:
Faith. Family. Country.
This year’s theme is: GLORIFY GOD AMONG THE NATIONS - SEEKING HIM IN ALL GENERATIONS
The tradition of national prayer in America dates back to the founding of our Republic. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress called for days of prayer, fasting, and thanksgiving. George Washington himself recognized the importance of prayer and public faith in the life of the nation.
But Washington did more than speak of tolerance. He helped define America’s higher standard: true religious freedom. In his famous 1790 letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island, he wrote that the United States “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”
That promise still matters.
My family and I recently returned from Israel Advocacy meetings in Washington, D.C. It was a blessing to participate as a family, alongside a Connecticut coalition. Our Connecticut Pastors were members of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) that has connected and equipped Hispanic Christian leaders, pastors, and communities across the United States and around the world—strengthening the Church and advancing biblical values in society. Becky Hernandez, the Executive Director of the NHCLC was part of our group. The outreach of this organization is powerful and my family and I have been engaging with these pastors over the past year.
I came because my son, Jonathan, has spent the last three years working to build common ground between Christians and Jews — common ground that should be natural, but has not always been.
To witness pastors and rabbis standing together and reminding elected officials that antisemitism will not be tolerated — and that Jews in America are not alone because Christians stand beside them — was deeply meaningful.
The churches that may have been silent during the Holocaust are not silent in America today.
This effort was organized by Eagles’ Wings [ [link removed] ] and Bishop Robert Stearns, whom we have known for several years.
Israel Advocacy Day is built on a simple conviction: faith leaders cannot remain on the sidelines. Rabbis and pastors must step into the rooms where decisions are made and speak with one voice for Israel, against antisemitism, and for the safety and dignity of Jewish communities here and abroad.
In the wake of October 7th — a day that will live in infamy — Bishop Stearns has often asked a simple but piercing question:
“Where are you, Church?”
Historically, the relationship between Christians and Jews has not always been easy. There were times when Jews stood alone in the face of persecution, including during the Holocaust, when too many institutions and nations remained silent. That is why gatherings like this matter. They show that many churches in America today refuse to repeat the mistakes of silence and indifference.
This was one of the most memorable trips I have taken to Washington because it demonstrated true camaraderie: pastors and rabbis, Republicans and Democrats, gathered together without hostility toward one another. It felt reminiscent of a different era in American politics — one where common ground could still be found.
We had disagreements. But they were civil. The debate was healthy. Sometimes the issue is perspective, and sometimes the solution is awareness and education.
During our visit, our group met with staff representatives from the offices of Congressman John Larson, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, and Senator Chris Murphy. Part of our delegation separately met with a staff representative from the office of Congressman Jim Himes.
Separately, my son and I met with staff representatives from the office of Congressman Rich McCormick on healthcare-related matters. Being on the Hill, my son also ran into a friend working as a staffer for Congressman Pete Sessions. Those meetings were noticeably warmer and demonstrated the importance of continued bipartisan engagement on issues of faith, Israel, and combating antisemitism.
There was polarization in some of the offices we visited. The reception varied from office to office.
But that did not faze the delegation - it strengthened the resolve.
Our message was simple: hate has no place in worship, antisemitism must not be tolerated, and Americans must be free to pray and live their faith without fear.
Our group stood firmly for Israel’s right to defend itself, regardless of whether certain members of Congress dislike the personal leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. That distinction matters. Disagreements over politics should never become an excuse to weaken Israel’s ability to protect its people. As I stated it was like giving Israel a bulletproof vest to defend itself but no weapons to attack the aggressor.
We also addressed antisemitism on both the left and the right sides of the political aisle. Hatred of Jews is unacceptable regardless of political affiliation. Silence in the face of antisemitism only allows it to grow.
With the constant attacks on synagogues and Jewish communities in New York City, Michigan, and elsewhere, Jews should be able to pray, gather, and attend events without fear.
My rabbi from Temple Sholom, Mitch Hurvitz, spoke about millions of dollars in security upgrades for a synagogue, including ballistic glass — things no one would imagine needing in the United States of America - and certainly not the peaceful town of Greenwich Connecticut. Rabbi Mitch also addressed the non-profit security grants that are for physical upgrades but not ongoing personnel.
But this is where we are in a post-October 7th world.
And we should not accept it as normal.
What stood out most to me was that this trip reflected the three pillars of the American way of life — in the right order:
Faith. Family. Country.
Faith gives us our moral compass.
Family gives us purpose and responsibility.
Country gives us the freedom to live those values openly.
That is why it is so important to fight for all three.
#NationalDayOfPrayer #FaithFamilyCountry #Israel #ReligiousFreedom #StandAgainstAntisemitism #EaglesWings #IsraelAdvocacy #Connecticut #JudeoChristianValues #NeverAgain

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