It's the National Day of Prayer, as my radio reminded me this morning, so I thought I'd try to write a prayer for the nation. Then I was reminded of Jesus' advice to keep your prayers private, so I guess I'm offering this prayer as a reflection on His words, not as a national prayer guide. I also keep coming back to the Lord's prayer as a model, so maybe I should just let God be God and let His words flow here:
Heavenly Father, may your name be given its due weight in the world. May your holiness and righteousness be recognized. May people turn to You in times of trouble and times of plenty. May people come to love You as You deserve. May we do Your will in the world. May we fight for Your cause, not our own. May Earth resound with Your praise, as heaven does. May we seek Your will in all our decisions, and may Earth come to resemble heaven in its worship of You, in our actions more than our words.
May we have the things we need to get through this day. Forgive us our sins, even as they multiply, and let us forgive our enemies. Help us to be more like You, O Lord, and to see justice and mercy as equally good and valuable, not as mutually exclusive. We ask You for things we do not deserve; we ask for blessing, when we should simply ask for forgiveness. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to do Your will.
Help us to not take You for granted. Deliver us from evil -- our own and that of others. All power, glory, and honor belong to You. Amen.
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