As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the rightful celebration of a free country, I wish to address some significant aspects of this celebration with a prayer found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the ACNA  BCP. It is stirring in its own account and needs little commentary from me. We will use this prayer as a litany this Sunday, July 5. Just a reminder that the freedoms won for us 250 years ago, and maintaining these freedoms come with a cost.

This prayer was originally written by an Episcopal priest around 1890. Our country was founded clearly on Judeo-Christian values as expressed in the Bible and the church and in this prayer:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy 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 into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy 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 thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The foundation and safeguarding of our biblical faith is grounded on respecting the dignity of all humanity, even toward those who disagree with us. So we are not free to unlawfully hurt others, and as Christians, to gossip, malign or otherwise compromise the dignity of  others, especially when we vehemently disagree. We live our lives, fallen as they may be, as a light on a hill. 

Come join us this Sunday as we consider this powerful prayer together. We will worship and sing praise to God, lament where there is pain and distrust, and honor our country with songs and hymns that raise our vision to what can be for America.