A Prayer For Our Nation

 A prayer for our nation:

Dear Lord, creator of all that we know and understand as this universe and ruler of here and beyond,

We come before you acknowledging our own weakness and failure. We’ve loved too much and too little…to much the things of this world that enthrall us and too little your children who we let languish in pain and suffering. We’ve squandered the great resources and beauty of your creation merely satiating our own lusts. You’ve given us so much and we simply grasp for more.

Please grant us leaders that pursue truth and justice, motivated by kindness, mercy, love, and compassion. Tamp down our partisan passions and fan into flame our passion to bind up the weak, care for the sick and halt, protect the widow and orphan, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless and indigent. Let us be known as those who welcome the sojourner with open hearts and open hands.

As we avidly seek your forgiveness. And in a like manner, birth in us a readiness to forgive others, remembering our own desperate need for grace and mercy. Let us be thankful for all the blessings you freely bestow, without regard to our own inept and bungling efforts to understand and reflect you. Thank you for not giving us what we deserve, which is wrath and punishment. And give us the strength to extend forgiveness and patience without stinting.

Help us to lay aside prejudice, that overweening pride that assumes we know the other person. Teach us to truly listen. Each of us have a story and we need to learn to listen to and come to know and start to love one another. Let us come to that place where we evaluate each other not on exteriors drapements, but on interior structures. You look into our hearts, help us look into each others’ hearts. 

Help us to grow in humility, remembering that we know so little and our way is not the only way and our ideas not the sole font of wisdom. Father, we need patience, patience with each other and patience with you for in so many ways we do not understand who you are and what you truly desire. Incline our hearts toward you and let us hunger for you and the things you desire. 

Lord God, you created such a marvelous world and have in your graciousness granted our nation vast natural resources, yet we so often use them only to satiate our craven desires. Let your Holy Spirit teach us to walk lightly, to use your gifts to help others, to be those careful stewards of these things that actually belong to you. 

You are great, mighty, and holy. We are insignificant, weak, and fallen. We are astounded that you would take notice of us, desire us, and work so hard to save us. Thank you.

In the name of Jesus, we offer this prayer,

Amen.