Thanksgiving Week 4

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Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1–6a (NRSV)  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all . . .
 
Meditation:
            We have so much to be thankful for in our country. Although our country is not now nor ever has been perfect we still have much to be thankful for here in the U.S.A. Both in the scripture above and in Romans chapter 13 Paul urges prayers for those in power. We need to be on our knees thanking God for the blessings of liberty. We should also be interceding for all those in public office that God will give them the wisdom to lead us in the way God would have us to go.
            We also can thank God for this good land we live in. This country still possesses enormous natural resources and a vast diverse population that is capable of providing a high standard of living for us. But all that material wealth will be for naught unless we prove able to use it to the benefit of the country. We must learn to use our wealth for the good of those in our nation who need our help. The widow, the orphan, the immigrant poor should benefit from the surplus that this land produces. We must learn to honor God with our material wealth.
            We can thank God that we have the right to worship as we please. Let us make sure to use this right. Lord help us lift up prayers for our nation so that we may enjoy our liberty and that a great awakening of the Christian Religion may sweep across America. It is only by gaining a new birth of freedom based on a sure understanding of God’s word that America will endure as a free and great nation.
 
Prayer:
            Holy God we pray for this nation in which we live. We thank you for all you have blessed us with in these United States of America. Forgive us when we have taken our freedoms to lightly. Restore to us the joy of living in this great land by reviving in us your Holy Spirit within us. Grant us the desire to help our neighbors in need. Cleanse us from our greed and materialism. Reawaken your Holy Church that your Name will be glorified among us. We glorify your name and ask your blessing on this land. Amen.

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