Friday, July 07, 2023

A Fourth of July Prayer -- True Freedom

'Poem for the week' -- "True Freedom":


As we celebrate our unique history – 

and, indeed, Your presence in that history (as in all histories) – 

may we resist a mythologization that obscures our actual past.


Give us eyes to see how violence, exploitation, and deceit 

are past and present realities  

as much (or more) than life, liberty and justice.


And then, as we strain to see fireworks above us,

may our lifted eyes be an embodied petition,

a corporate plea to see Your justice manifest in our midst.


Ultimately, may our singular allegiance be to Christ – 

whose life, death and resurrection 

are the means and model of true freedom

and may we, through the power of the Spirit,

inhabit that freedom with diligent peacemaking, generosity and hospitality.


May Your Kingdom come.

Amen.


-- Emily Cash, Driftwood Prayers