Prayer For Our Country

By ANDRÉS ALBERTSEN


Note: Pastor Albertsen wrote this for the National Day of Prayer, May 7. It is loosely inspired by President Thomas Jefferson’s prayer for the nation on March 4, 1801 that was included in the 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (the green one).


    Almighty God, you have given us this good land as our heritage. Make us always remember your generosity and constantly do your will. Make us good and generous stewards of the resources and talents you have entrusted to us.
    Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, an honorable way of life, and visionary leaders and government officials.
    Be with all those who are doing essential work. Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals. Be with the daycare workers. Be with the workers who sustain the entire food production system, the employees at our grocery stores, the mail carriers, the people who deliver us our packages, and the people keeping our public transit running and our public spaces clean.
    Expand our morality beyond the narrowness of personal piety into the broadness of public policy. Help us make sure that everybody receives a just wage, and gets access to education, healthcare, affordable housing, daycare for the kids, and unemployment benefits when they lose their jobs. Give us the strength to be self-critical, and to look upon our imperfections and decide that it is in our power to remake this country and align it more closely with our highest ideals. Give us the strength to challenge racism, poverty, unchecked militarism, and ecological devastation. Always remind us that change depends on our actions, our attitudes, our votes, and the things that we teach our children.
    Save us from the fear that prevents us from working together and helping one another. Save us from the violence that creates more violence. Save us from the pride that can make us claim invulnerability. Save us from every evil course of action.
    In this time of danger and trouble, comfort those in distress, give us patience to endure the waiting, and grant us courage and hope to face the future; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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