O Lord, help us to see those around us,
their struggles,
their hopes,
their joys,
their depth,
their humanity.
And as we see, fill us with love of your creation in all its beauty and complexity.
Help us O Lord to see what we might be:
One country, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Guide us there O Lord.
Amen
“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.
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
Who is wise among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3:13-14
Lord, as our graduates go into the world, carrying our hopes and dreams and pursuing their own, help them find opportunities to use their talents, help others, and grow in wisdom.
Help them to seek lives of meaning and purpose rather than “the good life” of consumerism and exclusion.
Let their ideas, ideals, and energy help us rebuild our economy in more equitable and sustainable ways.
Help them use their networks and global awareness to build and connect communities in ways that help us find peace.
Help them to value life long learning and effort, yet practice independent thinking rather than relying on conventional wisdom. Let no one take them captive “through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8).
Guide them O Lord, and help them to guide us.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
Prayers For Our Country 