God of Freedom and Liberty,
Just as you gave the Israelites the patriarchs and matriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, to lead and inspire them, you gave our country founding fathers and mothers, whose wisdom and example continue to guide and inspire us.
On July 2, 1776, with a legislative vote, our country was born. Reflecting on this historic moment, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail and said:
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. -- I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. -- Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
As we enter into this festive weekend we give thanks for all who have come before us, all who fought to create, to protect and to preserve our nation. We give thanks for the courage of those who risked their lives to create what we enjoy. And we give thanks for the blessings this nation has bestowed on our own families and ancestors who came to this country in pursuit of living in freedom and with liberty.
May it be Your will o God, to always look upon our nation with compassion, and may the ravishing Light and Glory of which John Adams spoke, continue to shine brightly and forever on. Amen.
