Dear God:

Why is everyone so angry – and so quick to judge others – even people they have never met? The state of our country right now is not unity or brotherhood or even “we shall overcome.” The state of our country is screaming, close-mindedness, and fingers pointed.

Sometimes I don’t know which way to turn, what to listen to, or even how to pray about all this. I feel conflicted inside whenever anyone talks of politics. I feel it has become that which only separates us. We don’t come together to discuss differences and work towards compromise any more. Today all I ever see and hear are raised voices, most often followed by violent behaviors.

I certainly do not know why any of this is happening to this country that I have always loved so much. I definitely don’t know how to fix it. But, what I do know, God, is that You love us. You love our fathers and mothers who risked their own lives to come to this land in search of freedom from tyranny. You also love all our brothers and sisters who were already living here then, and you already know and love all those who will come in the days ahead. I do not believe that You created this nation under Your name so long ago and brought us this far to abandon us now. So, today, God, I pray that You will help us find our way again – whatever that looks like – to the path You have already imagined for us. Help us to let go of our individual agendas, so often spurred by our egos and our fears. Help us to look beyond ourselves and our fears in order to gaze only on Your plan. For only You, God, know the best way for us. Please help us all to remember that, to accept it in our hearts, and to surrender to it.

I pray all this today, God, in the spirit with which generations past looked upon this great land – with the hope of living in freedom and carrying Your message to others.

Thank You, God, for blessing me with birth into a free country. May I never take the liberties it offers for granted.

Jessica