America needs prayers

After yet another day of carnage in Chicago, during a celebration and parade which usually brings people happily together, I share with you another prayer which would be appropriate for Independence Day, but even a day later, and every day of our lives, America needs prayers so that the senseless killings and murders will end.

Lord, we stand today as our forefathers have stood before You in times gone by, celebrating our history and revelling in all the great things that our country has achieved.
On this day we rejoice in the favor You have graciously given us.
We thank You for the blessings of liberty, for this generation and for the generations to come.
We thank You for our independence, peace and for all those who have bravely given their lives in the defense of freedom and justice.
We thank You that Your provident hand has given us so much.

Yet as a nation and people we have not always chosen the right way.
We ask You to forgive us for these times.
On this day we commit ourselves to wholeheartedly honoring and serving You.
With everything that we are, we lay our lives before You.
Make us a generous people, a holy nation, a grateful country.
A people set aside to love You forever,
For the sake of the land of the brave and free, and the peoples and nations of this world.

Today, we do not presume Your grace for our country. Our land is in need of You, Our people are in need of You, Our industry and business is in need of You.
May we look only to You this Independence Day, dependent on You.

Please come now by Your glorious Holy Spirit,
Breathe new life into the sinews of this nation. May justice flow like rivers,
And righteousness like a never failing stream, until the whole of our country is covered with Your glory, as the waters cover the sea.

We ask all this in the wonderful name of Jesus, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, now and for all eternity. Amen.

And may the millions of guns and rifles and shotguns be replaced forever with blossoms of color, flowers of joy and hope for peace all over the country that is hurting so much.