A Prayer for our Nation  (From the Book of Common Worship) 1

July 15, 2024

Let us pray.

Almighty God, who art from everlasting to everlasting, whose kingdom is righteousness, joy and peace:  Grant us, amid the conflicts of this passing world, the comfort of a perfect trust in Thee:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   From pride, selfishness, greed, and anger; from passions that beget strife in the soul and war among brethren; from avarice, vainglory, and revengefulness:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   As Thou hast given to our country liberty and power, so guide Thy servant the President, and all others in authority.  Lead all our people and all other nations into the ways that make for peace on earth and good will among men.  Give peace in our time, O Lord:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   We beseech Thee to allay all enmity and strife, that the rich may not scorn the poor nor the poor hate the rich, that all unfairness may be redressed and all iniquities abolished, and the peaceful labor of all promote the good of the commonwealth:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   Especially for Thy holy Church Universal we implore Thy blessing; that all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth may learn to love and help one another in His service; that all unhappy divisions among the disciples of Christ may be done away; and that the many folds of faith may be embraced in one flock, following one Shepherd, even Jesus Christ our Lord:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   For all who are disquieted and afflicted by war within themselves, by the conflict of flesh and spirit, by the invasions of doubt, the tumults of a rebellious will, and the dark drivings of despair; for all the solitary and the restless and the unhappy, we implore Thy compassion and Thy very present help in time of trouble:

                Save us and help us, O Lord.

   By the example of Thy dear Son Jesus Christ our Saviour, who learned obedience by the things which he suffered; by his meekness, lowliness and forgiving grace; by His courage, firmness, and constancy in Thy work; by His submission to Thy will and the giving of His life to take sway the sin of the world, Lord have mercy upon us:

                Christ have mercy on us.

   O God, who art the Author of peace and Lover of concord, in knowledge of who standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom:  Defend us, Thy humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies: that we, surely trusting in Thy defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

                                                                                Amen.   

1  The Book of Common Worship, Copyright 1946.  The Board of Christian Education

Of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America