A Prayer for Independence Day

July 4, 2012

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

“A Prayer for Independence Day”
by Peter Marshall
Chaplain of the US Senate, 1947-1949

O God our Father,

We pray that the people of America, who have made such progress in material things, may now seek to grow in spiritual understanding.

For we have improved means, but not improved ends.  We have better ways of getting there, but we have no better places to go.  We can save more time, but are not making any better use of the time we save.

We need Thy help to do something about the world’s true problems –
   the problem of lying, which is called propaganda;
   the problem of selfishness, which is called self-interest;
   the problem of greed, which is often called profit;
   the problem of license, disguising itself as liberty;
   the problem of lust, masquerading as love;
   the problem of materialism, the hook which is baited with security.

Hear our prayers, O Lord, for the spiritual understanding which is better than political wisdom, that we may see our problems for what they are.

This we ask in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(printed in The Milwaukee Journal, July 4, 1948)


On behalf of the staff and lay leadership at St. Paul’s UMC, I wish you and yours a happy Independence Day.  Take a moment to inventory your freedoms, and give thanks for those whose sacrifice has enabled and ensured them.   And commit today to greater “spiritual understanding,” that the will of God may be done here on earth, as it is in heaven.

Magrey