Prayer for today (7/24/17)
Most Holy and loving God, God of many names, we lift up our hearts to you in thanksgiving. For this day which we receive but did not create. For these friends and this community which give us life but whose company we cannot buy.
Most of all God, we thank you for this country. Yes, for the beautiful and spacious skies and the amber waves of grain. For the spirit that called the pilgrims here — a spirit of community, of creativity and of courage.
God, after the 241st birthday of this great country we need your help. Help us to continue the spirit of the early pilgrims. Help us to stand in awe before creation and to walk lightly on the earth. Help us to open our hearts to one another knowing that understanding is the first step to peace. Lastly God, help us to have the courage to look at our country with clear eyes. Even as the early pilgrims sought freedom, they also bought and sold slaves. Help us to have the courage to lay down our swords and shields of prejudice and racism so we may take up the hand, not only of our brother and sister, but also of you. God we are grateful for your help as we try to live closer to you. Amen.
The Rev. Cassandra Howe, High Street Unitarian
Universalist Church,
Macon
This story was originally published July 23, 2017 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Prayer for today (7/24/17)."