With all that has happened in the past five years and is happening now, I have been begging God to give wisdom to our leaders (federal,state and local).
Almighty God, you have given us this great land as our heritage. We humbly pray that we may always remember your generosity and faithfully do your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education and an honorable way of life. Defend our liberties and strengthen the resolve of the people who have come from throughout the world to make America their home. Lead us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Help us to appreciate the opportunities that are ours as we struggle to bring harmony to an unsettled world. May we balance our concern for justice with a willingness to display mercy, and may our concern for security be tempered with a willingness to take risks which will produce worthwhile change for the good of all people. O Lord, we pray for your guidance as we work together for the best interest of our communities, our nation, our world, and the ultimate goal of peace. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful and in troubled times may our deepest trust be in you. Amen
This is from the Chaplains’ Service Book of Prayers.
Flag Prayer
Almighty Father of us all;
Humbly we ask Thy blessing upon this symbol of our land,
our homes, our liberties and especially we beseech Thee
to open our eyes that we may more fully enshrine within
our hearts the heritage which is ours. The values of our
liberties, the glory of the symbol before which we bow in
reverence only less than which we kneel to Thee. Suffer
us all to pledge anew in our hearts what we pledge with
our lips, an undying devotion to the flag which stands for
the America we love. Amen
Richard Kline, Chaplain Post 64 I found this online in a PDF from the American Legend.
LORD of hosts, I thank Thee for the many blessings which Thou hast granted us as citizens of our country. I acknowledge that we are not worthy of any of Thy manifest mercies. I, as well as we, our Church and our country, have sinned against Thee. I have been ungrateful, and have deserved Thy judgements rather than the privileges so often and so shamefully abused. Remember, I ask Thee, Thy mercies of old, and for the sake of thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, forgive us our guilt. Guard our country from war and bloodshed, from revolution and civic strife, from famine and pestilence. Preserve to us and to our children the liberty and the peace we have enjoyed, and let no enemy from within or without succeed in depriving our nation of these treasures of Thy mercy. Grant the rulers of our country, our State, and our community, wisdom and courage to uphold righteousness, that under this government we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. And may Thy Church flourish to Thy glory and the salvation of souls redeemed by Thy Son our Lord. Amen.
This is from the Lutheran Book of Prayer (1931).
LORD Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, on this day we are thrilled as we remember the greatness of our country’s past and give Thee thanks for the blessings we enjoy through the years. Teach me anew to treasure and appreciate this dearly won liberty of conscience and freedom of worship, which is the very cornerstone of our country’s glory. Let me at no time misuse my freedom nor neglect to praise Thy holy name. Help me to appreciate the peace and order maintained by my Government. Give me willingness to share in the processes of this democratic rule; to respect my country’s laws, and to work and pray for the preservation of its institutions and serve my country wherever possible. Protect me and my fellow citizens from all subversive opinions, and let not our Government fall a pray to selfish interests. Teach us as a people that Thou art ruling the destinies of men and nations and that the future rests in Thy good counsel. Above all, O Lord, I pray Thee, turn the hearts of the people to that freedom which Thou alone, Savior and Redeemer, canst give to us all. In Thy name. Amen.
This is also from the Lutheran Book of Prayer.
