My Country, ‘Tis of Thee

A pandemic that will not end, economic uncertainty, political unrest, racial inequality … and the 4th of July. I do not even know how to begin this post. I’ve retyped the opening sentences a hundred times because, friends, our land of the free and home of the brave is in pain. The ache is evident in the eyes of our people, in the words of our leaders, and in the spin of our news cycles. All is not well in our country or in our world. And yet, we still have much to celebrate; we are a people who do not give up hope.

The 4th of July is nothing if not a celebration of our nation’s tenacity. But it feels like more is needed this year. So, as you wear your red, white, and blue, fire up your grills and shoot off your fireworks, this weekend would you also join me in praying for our great nation? “Pray for the peace of the city where I [The Lord] have sent you into exile; for when it prospers you also will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). That’s the Lord instructing his people, the Jewish captives, to pray for even their city of captivity when they were taken to Babylon. How much more are we called to pray for our cities of freedom?

Oh  Lord, hear our prayer …

Father,
As we come to this holiday where we celebrate freedom,  may we the people pause and take that in for just for a minute. Help us, Lord, to be truly grateful for this nation and to remember the hands and the hearts of those who have fought and who continue to fight to build her and to protect her.

And Lord, help us remember your heart and your hands, too. Hands that formed the heavens and the earth. And us. Hands that strengthen, hold and bear the scars of our sins right on their palms.

And oh Lord, could we learn not to trust so much in the people who hold the power, but come to trust in the power of the One who holds the people?

On this Independence Day which seems to come in the middle of such an uncertain time, God, help us remember that our strength is not found in being the loudest voice. Remind us to listen; first to you and then to each other. Quiet the noise that keeps us from hearing your voice.

The Bible tells us this story of Elijah, an Old Testament prophet who fled for his life because he was the last Godly man left. He was anxious for many things as the future loomed ominously out in front of him.

There was earthquake, wind, storm, and fire on that mountain as Elijah stood overwhelmed and unsure.

But the Bible is quick to tell us that The Lord was not in those things. And then this. “After the fire came a gentle whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and he went out and stood at the mouth of the cave” (1 Kings 19:12-13).

The word of the Lord; the gentle whisper of the most powerful. The Creator communing with the created. Power is given to those who know when to listen. Help us hold the pain of those who are suffering and help us know how to hold our own pain out to you.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me” (John 10:27). Help us to push through all that distracts and shouts so that we can come to the edges of ourselves and hear our Creator whisper over us, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you in with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3-4).

And then, give us the strength to turn to our neighbor, our neighbor who might be for something we are against, who might rejoice over something we protest, or be angry when we cheer, but who is still our neighbor, created in the image of you, Lord. Help us learn how to love each other.

Remind us on this Independence Day that you and you alone hold the ultimate power of heaven and earth in your hands.

And yet, you whisper.

You whisper love, hope, joy, and peace to those who humble themselves and bow to hear your voice. May we the people become ones who use our freedom well; ones who work for the good of all in this country and around the world.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers and teach us how to be your people. Teach us how to let freedom ring out as loudly and shine as brightly as the fireworks that will fill the skies.

And teach us how to be your hands and your feet in this land you have given us and in this time where you have placed us. May we never get over being grateful for the way you love us.

Amen.

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and turn and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).