August 6, 2017
The Rev. Stephen T. Ayres, Vicar and Executive Director, Old North Church and Foundation offers a Revolution 250 comment and prayer at National Conference of State Legislatures:
On behalf of Paul Revere, Abigail and John Adams, their cousin Sam, John Hancock, and all who helped found our great nation, welcome to Boston. The revolutionary spirit embodied in my church’s “Two if by Sea” lanterns is alive and well in this city. I pray that while you are here you have time to visit historic sites like the Old North Church, where every day we teach American history and the American values that made our nation great and are necessary for our nation’s healthy future.
In nine short years, our nation will be celebrating her 250th birthday. A milestone of that magnitude is worthy of advance planning. I pray that when you return to your respective states, you begin bi-partisan conversations about how we can use that celebration to reaffirm our commitment to common values that make our nation great. Let me offer a bit of pastoral advice: find your common values and solving your policy differences will be much easier.
And now, let us pray:
Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our
heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove
ourselves a people mindful of your favor and glad to do your will.
Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and
pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend
our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes
brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue
with the spirit of wisdom the state legislators, who are gathered here today,
that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth.
In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,
and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail;
all which we ask in your holy Name. Amen.
Leave a Reply