Why CDM?

Cinco de Mayo Initiative from April 15-May 5, 2011

We continue to pray for the United States, Mexico and the Border. We must never forget what is going on our Southern Border. Even though, we received many breakthroughs during our 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, leading up to the National Day of Prayer, we must remain on the wall of intercession continually. Thank you for all of your support and participation.

Why have we chosen the name “Cinco de Mayo” for the initiative?

Cinco de Mayo, the 5th of May, is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day, but it actually commemorates the day in 1862 in Puebla, Mexico, when 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated the French army of 8,000. This victory kept Napoleon III from supplying the Confederate rebels for another year, thus helping Union forces secure victory over the Confederates at Gettysburg 14 months after the Battle of Puebla, essentially ending the Civil War.

We feel it is extremely significant to call the nation to prayer for the injustices taking place on the U.S./Mexico border on Cinco de Mayo—and give the initiative the name of a battle wherein we as nations became entwined in each other’s victories, and a great friendship forged.

The United States later on proved that they were also a good neighbor when the French had taken over Mexico City and installed their own emperor, Maximilian. The U.S. provided both political and military assistance to Mexico to expel the French. Providentially God has made us a part each other’s destinies.

In addition to this shared history, our two nations made a covenant of friendship with one another when the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed by the presidents of both nations in 1848. Here is the preamble to that treaty:

“IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY GOD…The United States of America and the United Mexican States… establish upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should live as good neighbors… under the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace…"