7 Prayers That Work

Oh, Lord, King of heaven and earth, how you must be grieved. My heart is broken over the sins of my country and especially the Church. I can't imagine the heartbreak you have, and I can't fathom the hope and patience you also have for us when we sin. I confess the sins of my country. I confess our disunity, our rage, our insatiable desire for revenge . I confess our idolatry of wealth, class, power, fame, and self-righteousness. I confess our desire to condemn, hate, judge, blame, and kill one another. We're obsessed with our own comfort and security, to the detriment of anyone else. I confess our unflagging determination to idolize people: celebrities, politicians, millionaires, leaders of any field, as if they have the answers for life,  when You are the only one with answers. I confess our desire to win, to make teams, to align ourselves with political platforms and policies, to elevate elections, political races, and national power over loving our brothers and sisters...

Dear Lord God, I am blessed to live in America, a free country, even though I chafe under the ambition and corruption so often present in public officials. I am proud of our soldiers and civil servants, even though I read stories of their brutality and injustice in the news. I appreciate the protection I have to believe, write, live, and worship, even though I recognize our country's moral decline. We are a sinful people and a sinful nation, and yet you choose to love us and use us. You have blessed us with opportunity and responsibility, and so much good has been accomplished in the world through our nation. Because of your love and mercy. Thank you for the men and women who have served our country, faced danger, missed loved ones, endured trauma, fought to recover, and came home. Thank you for the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives so we could enjoy freedom. Bless their families and cover them with your loving care. Thank you for tr...