Heavenly Father,
As we gather today with family and friends to celebrate our country’s birth, may we keep you, Lord, in our hearts and minds. In the history of civilization, you have showered our people immeasurably with unprecedented prosperity and liberty. Here, foremost among our many blessings as citizens, we are free to speak, think and, most importantly, worship you—truly a rare and fragile inheritance among nations, for which we lift up unreserved praise and gratitude.
On this day, and moving forward, may we renew and maintain all civic bonds of friendship, trust and patriotism, remembering we are a single people: e pluribus unum, “out of many, one.” As we come together, enjoying your gracious abundance in the form of grilled foods, refreshing drinks, summer outdoor fun, radiant fireworks and the company of loved ones, remind all of us that we aren’t that different from one another, that we all have—as our Founding Fathers recognized and proclaimed nearly 250 years ago to the day—equal natural dignity and rights as your beloved children created in your holy image.
We also pray for our leaders at all levels of government. Guide them, Lord, to seek always your truth and purpose. Grant them the wisdom to discern your will for the justice and flourishing of every American, as we endeavor toward forming a “more perfect union” under your eternal Kingdom.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all,” we offer these petitions this Independence Day in the hope found in your Son’s name.
Amen.
