2 Prayers for Independence Day

1) God, source of all freedom,
This day is bright with the memory
of those who declared life & liberty
are Your gift to every human being.

Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.
Make our vision clear & our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
& justice only in the honor that belongs
to every life on Earth.

Turn our hearts towards the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others,
to offer friendship,
& to find safety only in the common good of all.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen!



2) God our Father,
Giver of life,
we entrust the United States of America to
Your loving care.

You are the rock on which this nation was founded.
You alone are the true source of our cherished rights to
life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.

Reclaim this land for Your glory & dwell among your people.

Send Your Spirit to touch the hearts of our nation's leaders.
Open their minds to the great worth of human life &
the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.
Remind Your people that true happiness is rooted in
seeking & doing Your will.

Through the intercession of Mary Immaculate,
Patroness of our land,
grant us the courage to reject
the "culture of death."
Lead us into a new millenium of life.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen!

_____________
Source: 2003 edition Prayers for All Occasions (pp 54-55)
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception