Wednesday Word from Rev. Grace: 4th of July Weekend
As we prepare to celebrate July 4th weekend, I find myself giving thanks for the many, many things I love about America.
- The rich diversity of our people
- Our history as an immigrant nation and how the gifts of people from many cultures make us stronger
- Mountains, beaches, canyons, forests, plains - the jaw-dropping beauty of our land
- Free public education
- Democratic ideals that call us to greater equality
- Values of service to the common good, and people who offer service through government, military, courts, and public safety
- Clean running water - a marvel, when you think about it
- The US Postal System - also a marvel
- A system of government that allows for dialogue and self-correction when we let it
- The rule of law and the protection it offers when equally applied
- Creativity and innovation
- Many, many styles of American music
- Religious freedom and non-establishment of religion, which encourage people to take religion more seriously
- Communities who, despite opposition, find ways to admit and right the wrongs of our past
When I grieve for our nation, I grieve because things I love feel threatened. If you find yourself feeling sad, frightened, or angry about the challenges we face today, remember the love beneath your concern. Remember who we intend to be. Give thanks for that vision and pledge to be part of making it come to reality.
On Sunday, in lieu of our usual postcommunion prayer, we will pray a prayer "For our Country" from page 820 of the Book of Common Prayer. It is sometimes mistakenly attributed to George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. It was actually written in 1882 by the Rev. George Lyman Locke, who served as Rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, Rhode Island, for 52 years. He lived through the Civil War and served as a priest in the turmoil of Reconstruction. He prayed it in times similar to our own.
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.
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.
Blessings,
Grace
