Dear Friends,
Over the last month, many of you have told me how helpful you found the selection of Prayers
for the Nation I shared with you in July’s issue of The Messenger. Given that our nation’s political
climate continues to present us all with challenges regarding our common future, both at home and abroad, I thought it might be helpful to offer some additional prayers this month as well.
For the Peace of the World God of the nations, whose kingdom rules all, have mercy on our broken and divided world. Shed abroad your peace in the hearts of men and banish from them the spirit that makes for war; that all races and peoples may earn to live as members of one family and in obedience to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose purpose of love embraces,the whole world, send peace upon earth, that the
nations no longer may prepare for war and that,they may try not to destroy but to understand each other. Take away all bitterness and hatred, and that men of all colors and races may learn to live in fellowship together; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, King and Judge of all mankind, look in pity upon the nations oppressed by strife, bitterness, and fear. We acknowledge our share in the sins which have brought us so often to the brink of destruction. May your goodness lead us to repentance, that we may yet be spared. Restrain the pride, the passions, and the follies of men, and grant us your grace, mercy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

God and Father of all, who made of one blood all nations to dwell on the face of the earth;
deepen our understanding of peoples of other,races, languages, and customs than our own.
Teach us to view them in the light of your,own all-embracing love and creative purpose; and
give us a vision of the true brotherhood of mankind, united under one Father. We ask this in the name of him who died that all might be one, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

For the Nation
Lord God of our fathers, whose faithfulness knows no end, we pray for all who,guide and govern the affairs of our nation.
Fill them with the fear of your holy name that they may be set free from the fear of man.
Help them in every situation to know and do the thing that is right.
And overrule all their deliberations for the good of our people, and for your glory; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God and Father of us all, graciously bless this our nation, and send out your light and your
truth to lead us in the paths of justice and peace. Give wisdom to those who exercise
authority in the government of our land; remove all causes of contention and
strife among us; unite us in the service of your kingdom; and make us a God-fearing people, regarding your laws and living together in brotherly love and concord; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God bless our land; God guide our rulers;
God resolve our differences;
God revive our churches;
God forgive our selfishness
God protect our homes;
God strengthen our faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Before an election
Almighty God, you created us free to choose and made us accountable to you and to each other: give to those who will elect representatives to serve in the government of our country an urgent sense of our responsibility, a clear and unbiased judgment, and a generous concern for the good of all; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant, O Lord, that the men and women of our nation may devote themselves to the common cause, not seeking gain for themselves, but giving much and taking little; that in this time of testing we may all know the joy of service and the discipline of self-denial; for the sake of him
who gave himself for us, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen

Be well,
Be safe,
Be thankful,
for we have been richly blessed.
Father Tom+

 July 26, 2024