Lord may I remember and not take for granted the sacrifices of our founding fathers that helped established a nation built on core Biblical principles.  I thank You that they were willing to endure personal hardship and great loss.  I thank you for their gifted and disciplined minds which drafted our Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

I thank You that our government was set up in such a way that wrongs could be righted and slavery abolished, and all citizens given the right to vote.  That though we are not all that we should be, we aren’t what we used to be.

Thank You that our nation doesn’t seek and welcome only the elite, but those who are poor and downtrodden, hungry and in need of refuge.

Lord, I thank You for the men and women who have served, fought and defended this nation.  I thank You for the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price.  I pray that we will be a people who show gratitude and not take their sacrifice for granted.  That we will appreciate the rights and freedom we have been granted and be willing to fight for them with courage and conviction.

Lord on this day when we celebrate the birth of our nation 237 year ago, I am grieved over the sins of our nation in so many areas.  I pray that You would soundly and swiftly rebuke the judges who give approval to that which You have declared sin.

I pray for the salvation our leaders, in all areas of government, whose beliefs are in opposition to Your Word.  Those whose lives bear the fruit of unrighteousness and ungodliness.  I pray that You will expose lies and wrongdoing.  That You will soundly and swiftly punish those who have broken the law.  That You will bring about a godly sorrow that leads to repentance.

I pray that You will wake up Your church.  That men and women will read, study, listen and obey Your Word.  That they will leave churches whose pastors tickle their ears and make them feel good.  That You will move in the hearts and minds of pastors so that they will boldly preach and proclaim Your Word with confidence.  Knowing that Your Word is active and alive, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.  That it is able to convict, rebuke and bring people to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.

I pray that You will open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf and turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.  That You will break the chains of those who are trapped in false religions, self-righteousness or atheism.  That You will save them from their sin for Your namesake and glory.  That they will be trophies of Your abundant grace and mercy.

Lord, I pray that You will burden the hearts and minds of Your people to pray and be faithful and true witnesses right where You have planted them…in their family, neighborhood and workplace.  I pray that Your church would be sanctified, holy, set apart and dedicated unto You.

Lord, turn this nation around.  May we be a godly nation, a shining light on a hill.  Lord, instead of asking for You to bless America, I pray that America would bless You, honor and glorify You.