The “Black Robe Regiment”—when American preachers led the fight for freedom

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

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The “Black Robe Regiment”—when American preachers led the fight for freedom

The British feared America’s pastors as much as they feared her soldiers. They called them the “Black Robe Regiment”—not because they carried muskets (though some did), but because they preached fiery sermons that stirred the colonies to action.

These ministers saw no divide between faith and freedom …

Their pulpits rang with Galatians 5:1 (“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”) and Acts 5:29 (“We must obey God rather than men”). They didn’t just preach liberty—they lived it.

The “patriot pastor”, John Peter Muhlenberg famously ended a sermon by removing his clerical robe to reveal a Continental Army uniform, declaring, “There is a time to preach and a time to fight. And now is the time to fight!” Then he led 300 men in his Virginian Lutheran church to form the center of the Eighth Virginia Regiment. See article below ⬇️.

Jonas Clark trained his congregation in Lexington, Massachusetts to defend their homes—when the first shots were fired at Lexington and Concord, it was his church members who stood ready. See article below ⬇️.

The British blamed the Black Robe Regiment for fueling the Revolution.

Many of the Founding Fathers had been discipled in these churches. The idea that freedom is a God-given right wasn’t just political—it was preached from pulpits before it was written in the Declaration of Independence.

Today, America faces a different war … not fought with muskets, but with truth. The question remains: Will today’s spiritual leaders meet the hour as the Black Robe Regiment once did?

A new “Black Robe Regiment” for our time

Today, America faces a different war. We pray for a renewal of the “Black Robe Regiment” in today’s pastors and spiritual leaders.

🦅 Lord, raise up a NEW BLACK ROBE REGIMENT in our time—pastors and spiritual leaders who will preach Your truth with boldness, refusing to bow to fear or cultural pressure. Let them stand as watchmen no matter the cost. May they lead not just from the PULPIT, but in the PUBLIC SQUARE … shaping the culture with Kingdom truth.

🦅 Holy Spirit, ignite a reform movement of CIVIC ENGAGEMENT within Your Church, showing that our faith impacts both hearts and society. Stir believers to rise as salt and light, boldly living out Your truth in prayer and action. May we reflect Your Kingdom in every area of society as a shining “city on a hill”. 📖Matthew 5:13-16.

🦅 Father, COVER the president, leaders in the cabinet, and Elon Musk with your sovereign protection. KEEP THEM from death and harm. MAY THEY LIVE in your health and energy. 📖”You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head” (Psalm 3.3 NKJV).

🦅 All-powerful God, we ask for your hand in ensuring GODLY SUCCESS IN ESTABLISHING THE NEW ADMINISTRATION in Washington. 📖“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” (Daniel 2.21 NIV).

🦅 Lord over the nations, we pray for TRUE AND LASTING PEACE IN UKRAINE. May both Ukraine and Russia be able to work with the U.S. to bring an end to the bloodshed. Give our leaders wisdom. May we not become bogged down in this conflict, draining our national energy and resources. 📖“He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire” (Psalm 46.9 NASB).

We can draw on America's founding prayers, covenants, documents, and early experiences as "prayer architecture" for today. Adapt the prayer language below to your prayer voice as the Holy Spirit leads.

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Brian Del Turco
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