As we arrive at the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution by the Continental Congress in 1776, I cannot think of a better way to celebrate this moment than to give thanks to God and to pray for our great nation. Below is a prayer crafted by Ivan Mesa, with TGC, that captures my heart for this day. I hope his prayer blesses you.
Father, we thank you for our own nation as it celebrates its 250th anniversary today. You have determined allotted periods and boundaries of place, and you have allowed us to make our dwelling here (Acts 17:26). Even as we are citizens of the City of God, we pray that we would be faithful pilgrims in the City of Man.
Thank you for the many freedoms that we enjoy as Americans—the freedom to assemble, the freedom to worship, the freedom to express our beliefs in the public square. Lord, use these freedoms not to lull us into complacency but to make us even more zealous witnesses for Christ.
For all the blessings we enjoy in this nation, Lord, we also recognize the challenges our country faces. The loss of Christianity’s influence in the last several decades has meant an even more hostile response to those who hold traditional Christian teaching. We’ve seen greater rifts in society with competing values that seem irreconcilable. We want to take advantage of any way to influence the broader culture, including the wise stewardship of our votes and the passing of laws that uphold the good and restrain evil.
To that end, we pray that you would raise more, even from our own midst, who could serve in political office, law enforcement, judicial oversight, and military ranks. Christians make the best citizens, so enable us to live out the call that the apostle Peter gave to first-century Christians in Rome: “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Pet. 2:17). Enable us to lead peaceful and quiet lives, godly and dignified in every way (1 Tim. 2:2).
But above and beyond, Lord, we long for revival in our nation. We want to see changed hearts, not simply restrained actions. Few of us are going to be in positions of great cultural or national influence, but we know that you often work through our small spheres of influence—our homes, our neighborhoods, our church, our city. So bring revival here and change our hearts to treasure you above all. And as we set aside time for Fourth of July celebrations today, enable us to relish the gift of calling this imperfect yet good nation home.
In Jesus’s name, amen!
