Independence Day

Two hundred and thirty-six years.

Today is the day our country celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

May we never forget the cost of freedom, both physical and spiritual.

Thank You, Lord God of this country, for our freedom!  We thank You that we can worship You in refuge, and pray that does not change.  Please remind us every day that we belong to You.  Help us to live unselfishly as if this day is our last.  Convict us of our sins to seek Your face, repent, and find Your sweet forgiveness.  Our Lord the King, forgive this land and turn our hearts back to You!  Heal our wounds and cleanse the wickedness, wash us in Your precious blood and make us as white as snow.

We pray for the appointed leaders of our country, give them strength and courage to fight for what is right.  Use them, and us, as You see fit.  Our prayers extend to our neighboring countries and their peoples, those suffering and dying, struggling to survive.  Show them Your comfort and unfailing love.

Humble our prideful hearts.

Strengthen our fragile faith.

Fortify our ever-waning trust.

Drive the doubts of sin away.

Give us Your eyes to see, Your ears to hear, and Your mouth to speak Your truth.
May we readily await the day You will come again!  And in the meantime, do all that's in our power to further Your kingdom here on earth.

Amen, amen, so be it!

A Nation's Strength

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1904

What makes a nation's pillar high

And its foundations strong?

What makes it mighty to defy

The foes that 'round it throng?

It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand

Go down in battle shock;

Its shafts are laid on sinking sand,

Not on abiding rock.

Is it the sword? Ask the red dust

Of empires passed away;

The blood has turned their stones to rust,

Their glory to decay.

And is it pride? Ah, the bright crown

Has seemed to nations sweet;

But God has struck its luster down

In ashes at His feet.

Not gold but only men can make

A people great and strong;

Men who for truth and honor's sake

Stand fast and suffer long.

Brave men who work while others sleep

Who dare while others fly...

They build a nation's pillars deep

And lift them to the sky.

Happy Independence Day!

To God be the glory both now and forever!

Amen, amen, so be it.