These five words come from the litany of Thanksgiving for the Nation. They form the responses to the litany’s petitions. As this Nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress’ approval of the final form of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, I encourage all Episcopalians in the Diocese of Alaska to offer and meditate on the Litany of Thanksgiving for the Nation (BCP pg. 838) listed below.
The petitions and responses remind us that while we have much to celebrate, honor, respect, and for which to offer our thanks; we as a people must not fall into idolatry of our nation. We must not conflate religious and political authority, nor accept that our nation has achieved and represents God’s righteous Kingdom, denying our shortcomings, our abiding injustice, inequality, and exploitations of people and the earth.
As we celebrate this July 4, let us give thanks that we have the freedom to worship God, to discern God’s righteous will, and to pursue God’s justice and peace as revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. In our celebrations may we remember that this nation–or any nation, is not the Kingdom of God, but always in need of healing, forgiveness, inspiration, enlightenment, and renewal.
Though citizens of this nation, we are first and foremost, citizens of God’s Kingdom. May we never tire in our witness to the higher calling of God’s righteous Kingdom; and may we be strengthened in our work and service to the Kingdom’s justice, peace, and righteousness as citizens of this nation.
Heal us. Forgive us. Inspire us. Enlighten us. Renew us.
Happy 250th.
The Litany of Thanksgiving for the Nation (BCP pg. 838)
Almighty God, giver of all good things: We thank you for the natural majesty and beauty of this land. They restore us, though we often destroy them.
Heal us.
We thank you for the great resources of this nation. They make us rich, though we often exploit them.
Forgive us.
We thank you for the men and women who have made this country strong. They are models for us, though we often fall short of them.
Inspire us.
We thank you for the torch of liberty which has been lit in this land. It has drawn people from every nation, though we have often hidden from its light.
Enlighten us.
We thank you for the faith we have inherited in all its rich variety. It sustains our life, though we have been faithless again and again.
Renew us.
Help us, O Lord, to finish the good work here begun. Strengthen our efforts to blot out ignorance and prejudice, and to abolish poverty and crime. And hasten the day when all our people, with many voices in one united chorus, will glorify your holy Name. Amen.
