It seems especially poignant that today, on the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America, a person who has been blessed in ways the rest of us can only dream, has chosen to take a stand against the expression of prayer for our nation.
The great thing about prayer, however, is that it cannot be stopped if there is one person of faith left to offer it up.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg may have been able to officially silence prayer at one event today, but he can’t stop people from praying.
And so here is a classic prayer for our nation.
It was lifted up by Senate Chaplain Dr. Peter Marshall, more than 60 years ago:
We would pray that all over this land there may be a return to the faith of those men and women who trusted in God as they faced the perils and dangers of the frontier, not alone in crossing the continent, in building their cabins, in rearing their families, in eking out a livelihood, but in raising a standard of Faith to which men have been willing to repair down through the years.
You blessed their efforts.
You blessed America.
You made her rich.
Will You also make her good? Make us, the citizens of this land, want to do the right things. Make us long to have right attitudes.
Help us to be Christian in our attitudes. Let all that we do and say spring out of understanding hearts.
Make us willing to seek moral objectives together, that in united action this nation may be as resolute for righteousness and peace as she has been for war.
Bless those who bear responsibility. May they be led by You to do that which is right rather than that which is expedient or politically wise.
Save us from politicians who seek only their own selfish interests. Illumine the minds of management as well as labor, that there may be an end to selfishness and greed, to the stupidity of men who are unable to find in reasonable agreement solutions to the problems that plague us.
Bless this land that we love so much, our Father, and help her to deposit her trust, not in armies and navies, in wealth and material resources, or in achievements of the human mind, but in that righteousness which alone exalts any nation, and by which alone peace can finally come to us.
This we ask in that name that is above every name, Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.
Amen.