An open prayer for Americans

An appeal to God regarding who we are and what we hope to become.

Jasper Cropped / photo by Crowbert

Holy God,

You are mighty and good. You made all we see and all we don’t. You set us on this spinning sphere of stone and water and life. We’re here to tend your world. Thank you for loving us and that we get to love You in return. All glory to you, oh God! Your will be done.

You put us here on the vast North American continent, within the borders of a historically mighty union of states. Thank you for giving us beautiful places to live in and great abundance. Your Holy Spirit is with us, and we know Your Kingdom is growing here just as it grows all over the world.

Creator, we know sin runs through us, and that in dark times we should begin by examining ourselves before pointing out our neighbor’s splinter. Help us discern and clearly see our role in our world’s ruin. We confess our wanton gluttony and rapacious greed. We confess our pride at being citizens of a great earthly power. We confess to closing our eyes to the killing of people You love to protect our own comfort. We confess to devoting our precious attention and time to fame and money and power and screens.

We have turned away from you. God, forgive us! Help us care well for our lands, from great rocky heights to shining river estuaries, from the Atlantic to the far reaches of the Pacific. Give us courage to see and speak the truth, to walk in the peace of Jesus. Help us live simply, and love our neighbors—regardless of belief or demographic—with Your fullness.

Have mercy on us, God. Keep us free and be our Shield in dangerous times. Block the evil around and within us. Rescue us from our own dark wills and bloom goodness in our hearts.

Help us to move through all distraction and into flourishing community and fruitfulness. Tune our ears to Your voice. Scramble the broadcasts of false idols. Turn the hearts of Americans back to You.

Lord, You are the Kingdom and power and glory forever.

Amen.