November 17, 2019
Another prayer for our country, adapted from The Book of Common Prayer.
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices. Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write where many read, that they may do their part in making the heart of our people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous. And help the people seek wisdom and reject appeals to hate and fear. Help us to pursue truth, and justice, and mercy, to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tags: justice, politics, Prayer, truth, wisdom
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November 10, 2019
As we restart this blog at the outset of the 2020 election year, we offer this from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
“O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Help us to remember O Lord, that we are one country. Amen
Tags: conflict, country, faith, forbearance, politics, Prayer, truth, USA
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July 4, 2017
“America, America! God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law.” From the Hymn “America The Beautiful”, verse 3.
O Lord, mend our every flaw, especially those fed by hate, fear, and greed.
Give us the courage and the discipline to learn even from those with whom we disagree, to acknowledge and study the complexities of the issues before us, and to be civil and kind in our speech.
Help us pursue and implement laws that are grounded in justice and support our common life, acknowledging our responsibility and care for one another.
Let us use our liberties wisely, and be thankful for what we have.
Give us the strength to persevere so that we might truly become, “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Amen.
Tags: christianity, justice, perseverance, politics, Prayer, religion, responsibility, self control, USA
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April 11, 2017
O Lord, help us to remember in this Passion week, as we witness darkness and death in the world around us, that by following God’s will into the darkness you brought us the light of your resurrection.
Draw us towards your love O Lord, towards hope, and towards the discipline of faith, that we may find a new life, and new way, in you. Amen
Tags: christianity, darkness, despair, discipline, faith, hope, religion, resurrection, truth
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March 14, 2017
Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide
the poor wanderer with shelter?
-Isaiah 58: 6-7
In this time of Lent O Lord, let us remember the fast that is acceptable to you. Help us to act justly. Amen.
Tags: faith, fasting
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March 2, 2017
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
O Lord, guide our leaders — and us as citizens — that we may pursue goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, and kindness in our political lives and in our communities. Help us reach out to our neighbors, breaking down the walls of “us” and “them”. Calm our anger and fears. Steer us from factions and petty disputes. Teach us to love. Help us live by your Spirit and find peace and prosperity together. (Galatians 5:19-26).
Amen
Tags: anger, community, country, faith, peace, politics, Prayer, progress, reconciliation, USA
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January 24, 2016
“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27
“. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry . . .” James 1:19
Our words matter. Words harm or heal; invite hate or love, fear or hope. Our words define us and our relationships. They direct us to evil or good. Save us O Lord from the words that hurt and discourage, that inflame and fester. Help us O Lord to use the words that heal.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
Amen
Tags: country, healing, hope, politics, Prayer, USA, words, words matter
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January 12, 2016
“… to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the paths of peace.” Matt. 1:79
“The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood.” John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness feels safe, the shadows fascinate, and the drama of conflict holds our attention captive. Free us O Lord and lead us to peace.
Amen.
Tags: country, darkeness, light, peace, politics, Prayer, USA
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December 31, 2015
As we contemplate both the political season that is upon us, and the Christmas season that is coming to a close, let us hear the prophet’s cry:
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger, and malicious talk,
If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Is. 58:9b-10
Save us O Lord from hatred and discord, from factions and greed. Help us to connect with each other, reflecting the love, peace, and hope that lies within your birth. Gal. 5:16-26.
Guide us O Lord throughout the new year.
Amen
Tags: birth, country, oppression prayer, prophet, USA
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July 4, 2015
On this 4th of July as we think about our country’s past struggles, current condition, and future, we invite you to review and add your prayers to the following verses, most of which are adapted from the “Prayer For Our Nation” in the Lutheran Book of Worship:
Bless our land and people with honest industry, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.
Make us who come from many nations, with many different languages and cultures, a united people.
Let us provide a truthful education, and informed public discourse.
Give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land.
Help us to understand and value our interdependence as much as our freedoms, and help us forgive and care for one another.
We need your help O Lord, and seek your guidance.
Amen
Tags: country, forgiveness, guidance, interdependence, love, politics, Prayer, United States, wisdom
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Prayers For Our Country 