A Prayer for America

As I woke up this morning to the news of a new president in the United States of America, I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t even know what to feel. 

It’s been quite the journey and so much has already been said on all sides. I feel like the only thing I can do right now is pray.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you that you are the God of all creation
and that you are all-powerful.
Thank you for your goodness and grace for us.
Thank you for your willingness to be faithful to us even when we are not.

You created this world by speaking it into being.
You created humanity by breathing life into us.
You watched as we turned our backs on you, and yet,
you had a plan to reconcile us to you and to bring us into your kingdom.

There is nowhere we can go where you are not.
Your love never escapes us and never runs out.
You hold the world in your hands,
and everything, even governments, are established by you.

Today, Lord, I want to believe that you are in control.
But God, please help my unbelief.

It is so hard to see you in a world full of violence.
It is so hard to feel you when so many feel pain and oppression.
It is so hard to trust you when people are afraid for their lives
because of the governments you have established.

Our world and our countries need your help.
This morning, America needs your help.

For Mr. Trump,
open his heart to the love that you have for him and all people.
Give him the wisdom and guidance to lead America
with the justice, peace and humility that only comes from you.
Would your presence be made real to him today
so that he would not be able to ignore you.

For those who look to Mr. Trump to make America great,
open their hearts to the love you have for them and all people.
Give them the courage to stand up against intolerance, injustice and oppression.
Give them the wisdom to be the kind of citizens you want them to be.
Would your presence be made real to them today
so that they would see you as the ruler of all.

For those who now live in fear because of Mr. Trump,
open their hearts to the love you have for them and all people.
Give them the resilience and the hope
to face injustice and intolerance with love and peace.
Would your presence be made real to them today
so that they would know that you are in control.

For us, neighbours to America,
open our hearts to the love you have for us and all people.
Give us eyes to see and ears to hear.
Give us the wisdom to know how to be good neighbours.
Give us the courage to love those we agree with and those with whom we don’t.
Would your presence be made real to us today
so that we would see you at work in the world.

Prove to us, O God, that you are in control.
In you alone we trust.
To you alone we cry out.

May your kingdom come,
may your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

In the precious name of Jesus,
Amen.