A prayer for all seasons
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
I returned from three weeks in Rome on April 18, but am not yet recovered. Rome is intellectually, emotionally, and physically the most demanding city in the world. I am still processing it all. God willing, there will be some sort of communication forthcoming. In the meantime, in this season of anxiety about immigrants, terrorism, politics, oil, foreclosures, the Supreme Court, the Great Recession, and so on and on, this great classic prayer will connect Americans to the Source of all that we need to persevere.
Almighty God, who hast given us this goodly 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 community with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Fashion into one united people all those brought hither from many nations 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, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise not only with our lips, but in our lives. 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.
