A Prayer For America On Her Birthday

 

"Proclaim Liberty throughout the land unto all inhabitants thereof..."
(Leviticus 25:10)

 Declaration of Independence

(1817)

John Trumbull

(1756-1843)

American painter

Our Father, we pray for this land.  We need Thy help in this time of testing
and uncertainty. when men who could fight together on the field of battle
seem strangely unable to work together around conference tables for peace.

May we begin to see that all true Americanism begins in being Christian;
that it can have no other foundation, as it has no other roots.

To Thy glory was this Republic established.  For the advancement of the
Christian faith did the Founding Fathers give their heritage, passed down to us.

We would pray that all over this land there may be a return to the faith of
those men and women who trusted God as they faced the perils and dangers
of the frontier, not alone in crossing the continent, in building their cabins,
in rearing their families, in eking out a livelihood, but in raising a standard
of faith to which men have been willing to repair down through the years.

Thou didst bless their efforts.  Thou didst bless America. Thou hast made
her rich.  Will Thou also make her good?  Make us, the citizens of this land,
to do the right things.  Make us long have right attitudes. Help us to be
Christian in our attitudes.  Let all that we do and say spring out
of understanding hearts.  Make us willing to seek moral objectives
together, that in united action this nation may be as resolute for
righteousness and peace as she has been for war.

Bless those who bear responsibility.  May they be led by Thee to do
that which is right rather than that which is expedient or politically wise.
Save us from politicians who seek only their own selfish interests.
Illumine the minds of management as well as labor, that there may
be an end to selfishness and greed, to the stupidity of men who are unable
 to find in reasonable agreement solutions to the problems that plague us.

Bless this land that we love so much, our Father, and help her to deposit
her trust, not in armies or navies, in wealth and material resources, or in
achievements of the human mind, but in that righteousness which alone
exalteth any nation, and by which alone peace can finally come to us.

This we ask in the Name which is above every name,
Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. 
Amen.

"A Prayer For America"
Reverend Peter Marshall Sr.
(1902-1949)
Scottish-American preacher
Pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
in Washington D.C.
Twice-appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate