The inscription on the Statue of Liberty reads “Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”. The dream of freedom and opportunity has drawn people from all over the world to settle in America; it now has the greatest variety of ethnic groups of any nation in history.

The USA has grown to be one of the most powerful economies in the world and is home to some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, but 35 million American citizens live below the poverty line.

Some of the first Europeans to settle in America came almost like refugees – looking for somewhere to be free to express their own beliefs and religion. Since then freedom of religion has been a central belief in American culture, and is protected by law. The Religious Freedom Act of 1988 allows the President to act against nations who persecute religious minorities.

The first McDonalds restaurant opened in the United States in 1955. It is now, without a doubt, the biggest restaurant chain in the world, with Big Macs being served in 28,000 outlets in over 121 countries.

The Golden Arches are the second most recognised symbol in the world (just behind the Olympic Rings).

Lots of different prayer initiatives are growing all the time.

The impact of American evangelist Billy Graham has been incredible. He has preached the gospel to more people and witnessed to more leaders than any other person in history.

The USA is a unique global superpower. Decisions made in America’s politics, economics and its armed forces echo across the world. Pray for the United State’s President and government in all the decisions they make each day.

In the last century the United States has sent out more missionaries than any other country, impacting every nation on earth. 35% of all foreign missionaries are American. Pray that these missionaries would be able to work in partnership with local churches.

The 5.4million Jews living in America are the largest concentration of Jewish people in the world. It is estimated that 10% of the people in New York are Jewish. More and more Jews are giving their lives to Jesus.

Many Afro-American churches are isolated from mainstream white churches. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bring a spiritual unity across churches that goes deeper than race and culture.

Murder is the major cause of death for 15 to 34 year old Afro-Americans. Pray for families who are trapped in a cycle of unemployment, poverty and crime.

The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001 will continue to impact America – its identity as a land of ‘freedom’, its understanding of different faiths and its involvement in global politics.