Politicians' Historic Embrace of God Stuns Lawmaker: 'Holy Spirit Is Moving'

A Tennessee politician is on a passionate mission to urge fellow citizens to turn back to the Lord. State Rep. Monty Fritts (R) took the historic step of spearheading a resolution calling Tennesseans to coalesce for 30 days of prayer, fasting, and seeking God on behalf of the state. Fritts told CBN News it's a near-miracle that legislators in both the Tennessee House and Senate approved House Joint Resolution 803 (HJR 803) and that the governor then signed it — a difficult feat, particularly in an era when people routinely battle about views on the separation of church and state. HJR 803 calls for "prayer and fasting in Tennessee" to unfold from July 1-July 31, citing everything from human trafficking to violence and drug abuse — evils plaguing the state, nation, and world. "We recognize that God, as Creator and King of all Glory, has both the authority to judge and to bless nations or states," the resolution reads, in part. "Be it further resolved that we, as public servants in the Tennessee General Assembly, seek God's Mercy upon our land and beseech Him to not withdraw His Hand of blessing from us." The lawmaker was motivated by frustration with the state of affairs in Tennessee and in America more broadly, citing the "vitriol and the division in the nation." "I think God just opened my eyes," Fritts said, noting he fears "God may be removing his hand of blessing from Tennessee and maybe even applying his hand of judgment." Far from a mere proclamation, the effort, titled, "A Resolution to Seek God's Hand of Mercy Healing on Tennessee," sparked associated events and gatherings all over Tennessee. Already, Fritts and others have been to 60 counties where prayer and worship events have unfolded. He said they plan to go to all 95 counties before the month is over. As for anyone who tries to challenge Fritts over the separation of church and state, he said he believes many simply misunderstand the issue and have been "taught...a lie" about the role of faith in society. "I think it's a lie from hell," he said. "The America we see today, the Tennessee we see today [is] a result of the church recoiling from her position to be a light into the world." The elected official said people started separating decades ago from this concept and that we have seen, as a result, "brokenness in our homes" and other issues, including the Fentanyl crisis, border chaos, and more. "I think when you reflect back on God's nature, Hebrews 13 says, 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore,'" he said. "I think that's true." Rather than allowing Tennessee to be further denigrated, he hopes to inspire revival in the hearts and minds of residents, reminding them to turn back to the Lord. Already, he's seeing transformed lives.