Proving Ourselves Worthy?

Almighty God, 

who has entrusted us with the care of this great land: 

We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves 

a people worthy of this trust and pleased to do your will. 

Bless our nation

with honorable industry, sound learning, and mutual respect.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion,

from arrogance and greed, and from every evil way.

Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people 

the multitudes brought from all the corners of the earth.

Bestow the spirit of wisdom 

on those to whom we grant the authority of government, 

that there may be justice and peace at home. 

Through obedience to your law, 

may we show forth your glory among the nations of the world. 

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, 

and in the day of trouble, strengthen our trust in you; 

all this we ask in your holy Name. 

Amen.

American patriotism is a family closeness like no other feeling. It seemed strongest in my memory after Pearl Harbor and after 9/11, when family members were attacked and in danger from mindless, vicious bullies. It’s a sense of protecting and being protected, like those hours and days after the 9/11 attacks when the skies over us were closed to all air traffic and it felt as if we were living beneath an impenetrable protective dome. 

American patriotism has seldom been jingoistic or xenophobic. At least in my time, part of American patriotism includes caring for other human beings, the people of other lands, embracing those who hate or have hated us, even seemingly at times irrationally and to our own disadvantage. Not unlike “turn the other cheek,” and “if you have two shirts give one to your neighbor who has none,” and “walk two miles.” 

We have been a great nation and are still an interesting nation, certainly an evolving nation, even still a land of dreams for some -- recently seen during the Cold War as people were dying to escape other countries and get into ours. As we begin to forget that we are universally a land of immigrants (even so-called “Native Americans” immigrated from somewhere at some time, across the land bridge between Asia and Alaska ... ) and devolve into selfishness, allowing our foundation to crumble, may we begin to see what we are becoming, and look back to reclaim what we have been.

The foundation of the prayer is the petition We humbly ask that we may always prove ourselves a people worthy of this trust and pleased to do your will. 

TW+