Blog # 20 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U S A !

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, U S A ! A Prayer for Our Nation's Birthday - 2010 God, our Creator, You are present throughout the world by Your power and Your love. By your gift of faith we have received Jesus Your Son into our lives as Your messenger. He has taught us that You are our Father. Father. we acknowledge Your presence among us as we celebrate our nation's birthday, and we worship You. On this occasion we rededicate ourselves to You and ask that You make this for each of us a meaningful and memorable experience. Make us appreciative and thankful for all that You have done for us to bring us to this moment in history as a nation and in our lives as individuals, for our health, for our life here in America, for those who have gone before us and have worked to make our nation rich in freedom and opportunity. You have blessed our homeland with surpassing riches. Let not its soul suffer ruin. In Your goodness and mercy forgive our weaknesses and sin. Bless our efforts to live in peace with one another, supporting one another in goodness, and living in such a way that our lives will in truth be a reflection of the life of Jesus, described by Himelf as one annointed by Thee, and sent to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and sight to the blind. Keep us loyal and faithful to You in the years ahead. Grant us the gift of generosity which brings joy, the gift of sympathy which brings forgiveness, and the gift of true love which brings peace. Accept this prayer, together with our deepest praise and thanks through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord Friend and Savior. Amen!