In an episode of The Good Faith podcast, David French spoke about five ways to pray for America: for justice, peace, mercy, grace, and reconciliation. Before we can be open to these things, we need to be humbled, and we need to uphold the truth.
Heavenly Father,
The people of the United States need to be humbled. We continually disobey your commandments to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Our leaders are either corrupt and cruel or cowardly and complicit. Most of the people who claim to worship you instead bow down to a false god, a man of lawlessness who claims to be the only one who can save this country.
Americans have always been so proud of our country and of our democratic government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Now, we are throwing away our democracy. Today, we no longer uphold the truth that all men are created equal and are endowed by You with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Lord, we were known around the world for our generosity. Now, our leaders cut off humanitarian aid to foreigners, even destroying food intended for malnourished children. Now, our leaders plan to reduce health and food assistance for the poor so they can grant tax cuts to the wealthy.
We thought we were such an exceptional country that Ronald Reagan called the US a “shining city on the hill.” It was you who inspired these words when you said to your followers: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can not be hidden.”
The USA is not a shining city on the hill. It never was. There’s nothing new to see here. Today, we build cages to imprison migrants, as we once built internment camps for Japanese Americans. The country has once again been overcome by darkness, fueled by the hatred of people of color.
We have a wicked past. White Americans murdered Native Americans and stole their land. The country’s economic prosperity was built on the blood and backs of slaves. The government may try to erase the sins of our past, but they are not hidden from you.
Lord, show us our brokenness. Bring us to our knees. Search our hearts and reveal the sins that break yours. Heal this country.
Amen.
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2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves..
Matthew 23:12 NIV
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted
Innermost Being 