HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA
Today, we thank God for our country and all the blessings it affords. As we thank God for the millions of people who experience the American Dream of freedom and prosperity we pray for all those who are still denied the blessings of this rich country—especially the unborn and the poor who still suffer because of racial discrimination, lack of health insurance, etc. When I became a citizen of this great nation, a friend gave me two plaques with the following words.
You who have been born in America…
I wish I could make you understand
What it is like not to be an American
Not to have been an American all your life…
And then suddenly with the words of a man
In flowing robes to be one, for that moment
And forever after.
One moment you belong with your fathers
To a million dead yesterdays;
The next you belong to America
To a million unborn tomorrows.
(George Magar Mardikian)
America has been settled by people of all nations.
All nations may claim for their own.
We are not a tribe of people… no,
Our blood is as the flood of a thousand noble
Currents all pouring into one…
We are not a nation so much as a world.
(Herman Melville)
A FOURTH OF JULY PRAYER
We lift up our hearts, O God, on this day of celebration
in gratitude for the gift of being Americans.
We rejoice with all those who share in the great dream
of freedom and dignity for all.
With flags and feasting, with family and friends,
we salute those who have sacrificed
that we might have the opportunity
To bring to fulfillment out many God-given gifts.
As we deny all prejudice a place in our hearts,
may we also clearly declare our intention
to work for the time when all people,
regardless of race, religion or sex,
Will be granted equal dignity and worth.
Come, O gracious God, who led your children Israel
from slavery, keep us free from all that might
hold us in bondage.
Bless our country and join our simple celebration
that we may praise you, our Source of freedom,
the One in whom we place our trust.
(A Pilgrim’s Almanac)-