A Prayer For Our Nation ~ Tom Novell

A NORVELL NOTE by Tom Norvell
- http://www.anorvellnote.com





Father, we acknowledge that we are a blessed people. We acknowledge that we are blessed not because of our own righteousness or our own goodness or our own deeds, but because You are good and because You are loving, and because You have chosen to bless us as You bless all people. Thank You for blessing us in all the ways we recognize and in all the ways we may fail to recognize.
Father, we thank You for the freedom we have to express our opinions privately and publicly. We thank You for enabling us to be people with unlimited opportunity for self-improvement. We thank You for presenting us with tremendous potential for doing good. Help us to appreciate these freedoms and not abuse them or take advantage of them simply for our own self-improvement, or to the destruction of others who interfere with our freedom.
Father, forgive us where we have failed to live up to our potential. Where we have taken credit for our accomplishments and failed to give You credit, forgive us. Where we have arrogantly considered ourselves better than all other people on the earth, forgive us. Where we have abused our power and influence, forgive us. Where we have neglected to use our power and influence in ways that would benefit all mankind, forgive us.
Father, help us to be people of integrity. From office of President Obama to the kitchen table of each individual citizen, help us to be people who desire to do what is right, people who can be trusted to do what is right, people who honor our promises, and to be people who are truthful and honest in all our dealings.
Father, help us to be people who respect the rights of all people. Not just the wealthy and powerful. Not just the ones who can repay us. Not just those who are capable of doing us good. All people. Help us to respect the rights of the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, the influential, the successful, those who have failed, and those with little or no influence.
Father, give us wisdom. For President Obama, all who sit in his cabinet, all those who sit in positions of power and authority, all those who have been elected to public office on a national, state, and local level, to all those who aspire to a public office, and to every individual who may cast a vote, we ask for wisdom that comes from You. May Your wisdom fill our hearts, direct our decisions, and guide our steps.
Father, give us hearts of compassion. May our riches and influence be used to help all people regardless of social status, color of skin, religious beliefs, or personal opinions. May our thirst for power and influence never overpower our kind and generous hearts. May we be known as people who genuinely love people.
Father, bring us together. Break down the barriers that exist among us. Racial barriers. Financial barriers. Political barriers. Religious barriers. Social barriers. Help us to reunite as a people who once were committed to these words: "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Father, let us be people who look to You for guidance in all we do. Father, may You bless us as we strive to people who love and honor You.
For this nation I ask these blessings in the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.



Tom

A Norvell Note Copyright 2010. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.