God,
On this day, I am grateful for the reality of America. For the opportunities she provides to learn, to grow, to become. I am thankful that I have enjoyed the incredible benefits of that reality, the freedom to strive or to acquiesce, to worship or to reject, to support or to protest, to speak or to work, or to witness for whatever cause you put on my heart. Many days I wonder just why it is that I am blessed enough to live here, while across the world there are so many for whom the freedom to believe aloud or choose a path is not available.
I am grateful for the dream of America, “whose alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears,” where everyone is given an opportunity to thrive and to prosper, where lives are not shaped by fear or scarcity or oppression, where those with much freely choose to lift up and empower those with little, where the will of the many does not stamp out the right of the one.
God, I am so grateful for all of the ways in which the reality has grown closer to the dream, for those who have worked and given, fought, and died for the ideals for which this country stands.
I am convicted, God, by the places the reality still falls short of that dream, where pride of nation becomes defensive, where fear blinds me to the mistakes of the past, where self-interest and bias prevent true repentance. Forgive me, O Lord, and show me how to change.
I am hopeful, God, as the path toward that patriot’s dream continues to move forward. Open my eyes to how I can be a part of continually closing that gap between reality and ideal. Let me never forget to do my part in celebrating our progress by using the benefits this nation has provided me to make it a better place for others rather than just for me and mine.
I am convicted, God, when I have made my nation an idol for worship rather than simple respect and honor. My prayer is that my allegiance to nation is always “under God,” as my first allegiance must always be to your kingdom. I pray that your Holy Spirit and common grace move among all of your children, that the better angels of peace and righteousness prevail over discord and injustice, and all are able to share the blessings of life and liberty, prosperity, and opportunity. Amen.