Yesterday, many churches joined the worship or God with the worship of country as the lines between church and state were blurred with the singing patriotic songs and the parade of red, white, and blue in sanctuaries. In blurring those lines, we forget how many people are not free to be themselves in our country and communities of faith.
God of grace and love, in your mercy hear our prayers:
for those who are not free to express love freely for threat of losing their jobs,
for those who are reduced to their gender or sexuality ignoring their talents and abilities,
for those who speak on behalf of your name, Creator God, judging who are your children and who are not,
for those working three jobs tirelessly trying to feed their children,
for those giving up their own food to feed others,
for those whose EBT debit cards are empty before the end of the month,
for those who work this holiday and every holiday so others can celebrate,
for those grieving the loss of loved ones from gun violence,
for those grieving the loss of loved ones from gun violence who have heard that their loved ones’ death shouldn’t take away the freedom of others to buy assault weapons,
for those who feel trapped, oppressed, unheard, and unseen trying to pursue the American Dream that does not exist,
May we remember in the midst of our celebration those who aren’t free living in a country where people believe everyone is free. Amen.