Prayers for the Country

Lord, we pray for our country. We implore you to heal us, to lead us to a wellspring of hope and possibility, and to guide us to be one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Empower us, as the people of the Good Shepherd, to speak the truth, but in a gentle way: encouraging, soothing, loving, and uniting. Lord, in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no weapon is drawn but one of righteousness, and no strength known but that of love: mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered together under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one God, one Lord, one Baptism. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

Oh Lord, you fashioned us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your son. Look now with compassion on the frail human family, specifically this part of the family in the United States and those in our nation’s Capitol and our states’ Capitols. Take away our stubborn arrogance, selfishness, foolishness, and hatred, which infect our hearts like viruses; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in new bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your will on earth; that, in your good time, all peoples may serve you in harmony, and be held by you in your loving arms. Lord in your mercy: Hear our prayer.

 The blessing of the Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon this country, which is riddled by division, disease, and destruction, as well as upon you and all of creation, during these troubled days, and forevermore. Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, quickly come. Amen.