An American Prayer

An American Prayer

by Amy Whittlesey
Sunday, November 15, 2015

Divine Creator, hear our prayer

Be present with us in our time of need

Divine in us your sovereign light,

that we may shine high like the lighthouse,

above the fierce approaching storms

May we as a nation and as individual Americans

cherish the freedom our birthright avows

That no man, no woman, no child,

whether stranger, or traveler or friend,

should ever suffer among us

the heavy burden of bigotry on this our native soil

Where there is prejudice, help us to rise and not fall

Where there is hatred, help us to forgive and show mercy

Where there is division, help us to build a lasting peace

And where there are failed hopes, we plead 

that our spirit never be broken

Grant us O God the blessing,

that together, as many and as one, our better angels prevail

that our history, though replete with transgressions,

may shine ever brighter with each rising day

as we forge  for our children, and  for our children's children

a future of better tomorrows

Amen

For Catharine

      

 Lord, make me an instrument

of your peace,

Where there is hatred,

 let me sow love;

Where there is injury,

 pardon;

Where there is doubt,

 faith;

Where there is despair,

hope;

Where there is darkness,

 light;

Where there is sadness,

 joy;

O Divine Master,

 grant that I

may not so much seek to be consoled

 as to console;

to be understood

as to understand;

to be loved

as to love.

For it is in giving

that we receive;

it is in pardoning

that we are pardoned

And it is in dying

 that we are born

 to eternal life.

Paul Henry Whittlesey O'Neill

Passion of Mercy,

lead me on

through shadows crossing,

valley low

beyond the pale

of winter's snow

'til from the soles of hallowed feet

I rise triumphant vessel meek

to you-

eternal light divine

beautific vision

mine to own