Luke 12: 15-21; Ruth 2: 2-9.
As we thank you Lord for the harvest and the work that produced it,
for food on our tables and families and friends,
let us remember the hungry,
and your admonitions to share the fruits of our labor throughout our communities.
Let us not count our blessings in ways that diminish our souls.
Help us be a kinder more compassionate nation O Lord.
Amen
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.
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
“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.
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
“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
“… 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.
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
Prayers For Our Country 