Prayer For Our Country

   Our words must be connected to actions.  If prayer is in some ways 'talking in the dark', as Steve Harper rightly proposes, then one high purpose of such talk leads us to action in the light of day. Our prayers are given flesh by our good works. We are called to be those who act on what we say. We are called to partner with God in redeeming the world, offering peace, and ending suffering.  God desires to use us to answers prayers. 

   Our prayers for some time have been directed toward our nation's leaders. We pray that solutions would be found, agreed upon, and progress would be made. Deadlines call for action.  Yet measurable action, it seems, has been hard to come by. How can we, as individual citizens, give action to our spoken prayers in order to influence those who represent us? 

• Let us start with finding one good thing in the 'other' side. 
• Then let us find another. 
• Let us commit to listening. Here. At home. Where we are now. To those closest to us.
• Let us not be those so far to one side or the other that our pride prevents us from seeing across the divide we've created. 
• Let us present ourselves as those who seek the right in a manner that is not wrong.
• After all of these acts are undertaken, let us continue to pray.

   I offer this historic prayer of the church for us all. Grace and Peace, Scott

Prayer For Our Country

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion us into one united people. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.