Some people are greatly blessed by when and where they were born, and others find their lives inevitably much harder because of when and where they were born. Today we are thinking about what it means to have been born as Americans in the twentieth century, when our nation became the most powerful state in the history of humanity. God is with everyone born anywhere at any time, but How can we best be with him in our place and time? With that goal in mind, we gather to worship the God of all peoples and nations.
Pastoral Payer
O Thou who art the Creator of all that exists anywhere, we who have chosen to live in this particular community at this particular time praise and thank Thee for the singular beauty we see all around us --- in this island and its environs, in the wonderful vistas of the lowcountry and the beaches and sea marshes and the lofty pines and majestic oaks. When we are honest with ourselves, we admit we are not particularly worthy to live in this very special place, but nonetheless we give Thee thanks that we are here and that we feel unique enjoyment simply by living here.
As we thank Thee for this community in particular, we thank Thee also that we are privileged to be citizens of our great nation as well. We did nothing to deserve that either, since nearly all of us were born here. Nevertheless we give Thee heartfelt thanks that this is our native land and not some other, especially those nations where political and social instability have been prevalent for many decades or centuries. We confess our inability to explain how many things work out in our lives as they do, but we express our gratitude to Thee that we have been so richly blessed, whatever may be the explanation, if indeed there is one.
We pray, O God, for the billions of people who live in troubled lands, where poverty prevails and authoritarian leaders rule and the future is always very uncertain. Grant to all such people strength and perseverance for their journeys. Implant wisdom and courage in those who have the ability to make things better for themselves and for all their fellow citizens. We also pray for wisdom among the leaders of democratic nations who seek to improve the lives of people in other nations, but who face many obstacles in their attempts to be of service. Help all Thy children in every part of the world to see ourselves as interconnected, and teach us how better to strengthen and improve those connections. These things we pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who connects all of us to one another. Now we pray as he taught us, saying, Our Father….