- which means tomorrow is our Independence Day - some beautiful prayers for our nation from LSB's Altar Book. Note that the Church prays for our government not one weekend out of the year, but every single Divine Service, as the Apostle urged in 1 Timothy 2:Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who have come from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times let not our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. [page 453]
From the Great Litany:
To give to all peoples concord and peace; to preserve our land from discord and strife; to give our country Your protection in every time of need;
To direct and defend our President and all in authority; to bless and protect our magistrates and all our people...
We implore You to hear us, good Lord!
From the Bidding Prayer:
O merciful Father in heaven, because You hold in Your hand all the might of man and because You have ordained, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do well, all the powers that exist in all the nations of the world, we humbly pray You graciously to regard Your servants, especially George, the President of the United States; Rod, our Governor; and all who make, administer, and judge our laws; that all who receive the sword as Your ministers may bear it according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
From Prayer and Preaching:
For this nation, for our cities and communities, and for the common welfare of us all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy!
And a very Happy Independence Day to you all.
ReplyDeleteYou'd have been better off sticking with us, but a parent must let her children make their own mistakes.
Sigh.
Doorman,
ReplyDeleteI'm by descent a Virginian. For many, many years that state liked to remind the others that it had been under the British flag for longer than it had been under the American. ;)