Prayers for Independence Day (U.S.A.)

Above:  Flag of the United States of America

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Prayers Source = Chalice Worship (1997), of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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Almighty God, giver of all good things:

We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land.  They restore us, though we often destroy them.

Heal us.

We thank you for the great resources of this nation.  They make us rich though we often exploit them.

Forgive us.

We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong.  They are models for us, though we often fall short of them.

Inspire us.

We thank you for the torch of liberty that has been lit in this land.  It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light.

Enlighten us.

We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety.  It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again.

Renew us.

Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun.  Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime.  And hasten the day when all people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name.

Amen.

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We pray for this nation in which you have set us,

for its men and women of government,

for the leaders of commerce and industry,

for those who through newspapers and television lead in thought.

Human cleverness alone cannot heal our nation’s sickness,

treaties and armaments cannot safeguard our real interests,

more luxuries and leisure cannot meet our deepest needs.

O may your Living Word speak afresh to our people.

Raise up men and women who can speak words of insight and integrity,

that new life may inspire us and set us right.

O Prince of Peace, despised and rejected by the wise ones of this world,

we pray for this world,

that the people who grope in the darkness may see a great light,

the light of your love for every human being.  Amen.

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You gather us together in faith, O God, as a loving mother and a gentle father.  Help us to remember that your dwelling place is built upon love and peace, and that to bring about your reign on earth we must follow the way of peace.  We pray for all governments and legislatures that they may be mindful of the rights of the peoples of this world to live in peace and dignity.  Grant this in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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We have come to sing,

rejoicing in the good that walks this land by day.

We have come to be silent,

repenting of the evil that stalks it by night.

We have come to this place because here we are reminded

that you are both our creator and our conscience.

Here all our loyalties are put in their proper place,

ordered behind our allegiance to you.

Be with us in our celebration and our confession,

that our citizenship may become more responsible,

our nation more humble, and our world more dependable.  Amen.