About Pray for Maine
In times of great trial, when earthly institutions fail to uphold justice, liberty, and truth, the only recourse left is a divine one. Pray for Maine was born from this conviction - a union of two enduring symbols: the historic Appeal to Heaven flag and Maine’s original state banner featuring the Eastern White Pine and solitary blue star. Together, they represent a call to faith, resilience, and moral clarity in the face of political adversity.
The Appeal to Heaven flag traces its roots to the American Revolution. Designed in 1775 by Colonel Joseph Reed, secretary to General George Washington, it was commissioned for use on six military cruisers and later adopted as the official flag of the Massachusetts navy. Its stark white field, lone pine tree, and bold inscription - “An Appeal to Heaven” - declared that when justice is denied and tyranny reigns, the people must turn to God as their final judge and defender.
This philosophy was drawn from British thinker John Locke, whose Second Treatise on Civil Government argued that when no earthly authority remains to protect natural rights, the oppressed are justified in appealing to a higher power - even through resistance. Locke’s ideas, echoed by patriots like Patrick Henry and the Second Continental Congress, helped shape the moral foundation of the American Revolution and the Constitution itself.
The pine tree, central to both flags, is more than a regional emblem; it is a symbol of strength, independence, and defiance. In colonial New England, the Eastern White Pine was coveted by the British Crown for shipbuilding, leading to oppressive restrictions on its harvest. The infamous Pine Tree Riot of 1772 in New Hampshire marked one of the earliest acts of rebellion against royal overreach, igniting the spirit of resistance that would culminate in independence.
Today, Pray for Maine revives this legacy. In a time when conservative and Christian voices in Maine feel silenced by an increasingly radical political climate, this flag stands as a solemn declaration: we have no appeal left on Earth, only to Heaven. It is a prayer for restoration, a banner of hope, and a reminder that truth and liberty are worth defending, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
Let this flag fly as a testament to faith, courage, and the enduring spirit of Maine’s people.
Join the movement and Pray for Maine!