Pray for Our Country

Okay, I’ve been around a while, and during those many years have lived in the South, the Northeast, the Middle Atlantic, and the always strange West Coast. I’ve also traveled extensively throughout the world and schmoozed with the natives in many European and Asian nations. During most of those years, I found that much of the world admired, and sometimes even feared, the United States, if not always publicly, certainly privately. And it wasn’t just our industrial and military power that caused others to envy America. For many, particularly those who understood us best, their admiration centered on our long history of governmental stability. Ours has always been a nation that, despite changes in political leadership, has managed to demonstrate a strong and abiding faith in its constitutional foundation. Although many nations in the world are older than the United States, very few have governments that have survived as long as ours.

Sadly, given what’s happening in our nation today, I fear this stability might not last much longer. We have become a divided nation in which a growing, vocal, and very active gang of radical socialists hope to effect permanent change in our nation and its government. They are feared by those in the Democrat party who need their votes for reelection, and consequently the so-called moderates agree to further the bulk of the socialists’ radical legislative agenda. Much of the nation, certainly most of those who usually exercise their right to vote, are inherently conservative, in that they see no need to change a system of government that has served generations of Americans rather well. For almost 250 years, despite occasional stupidity, mistakes, and moral and ethical lapses, as a nation we have done remarkably well. 

But the times are changing, so much so I encourage all Americans, regardless of political party, to turn to our loving, forgiving God and plead that He will bless and protect our nation, its future, and its people. As Catholics we are not locked into any political party. We look not to the vagaries of political machinations, but turn instead to the Way, and the Truth, and the Life, and to the timeless teachings of the Church. In the spirit of this hope, I offer the following thoughts, asking all to join me as we pray:

For the forgotten. So many in our nation, and throughout the world, are simply overlooked by all levels of government and, yes, even by churches. These forgotten included the abject poor who must survive at society’s depths, those who suffer from generational poverty, mental illness, and addictions, those who are somehow forgotten by governmental and other programs. So often we turn to government, assuming only it can address the problems of those in greatest need. But government programs are inherently inefficient and plagued by bureaucracy and its many failings. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must get our hands dirty and take a healing walk through our communities, providing the help, encouragement, and love that others need. And remember, Jesus healed the physically ill and cast out demons, but His primary focus was on the spiritual health of those He encountered. Pray for the conversion of the poor, the forgotten, those tossed aside by society. And pray for the wealthy, for the elites who actually believe they are better than the rest of us. Pray that they may learn the humility of the Son, who emptied Himself for our salvation. Oh, yes, and pray for yourself, that you will do God’s will in the tiny slice of creation In which He placed you.

For the Fragmented American Family. Far too many, including too many Christians and Catholics, have caved in to the evil of so-called same-sex marriage. Marriage is a sacramental reality, one given to us by God Himself, and as Sacred Scripture and 2,000 years of Church teaching remind us, marriage can exist only between a man and a woman. Divorce, too, is at a high, and perhaps even more disturbing, many couples are simply not getting married, preferring instead to live outside the marriage bond. Children, of course, suffer most from the dissolution of the family. Far too many couples have also accepted a contraceptive mentality, one that includes the travesty of abortion, simply for the convenience of their lives. Pray for the families of our nation, and pray especially that they will be accepting of God’s gift of life. And pray, too, for the unborn and for those who seek and perform abortions. Ask the Holy Spirit, the “Lord and giver of life,” to work within the hearts of our politicians, our judges, and our people.

For those who protect us. So many, today both man and women, willingly devote their lives to the defense of our communities and our nation. Many, far too many, are seriously injured or lose their lives in this selfless effort. Let us all remember that these are true American heroes, who along with their families suffer the physical, mental, and spiritual wounds that most Americans will never experience or even understand. As a nation, and as individuals, we owe these courageous men and women, especially our veteran warriors, our deepest thanks. 

For our Church. The Church throughout the world, but especially in our nation, is under attack, particularly by the political left. This, of course, is nothing new. The Catholic Church has been attacked by the Nazis or national socialists, and by the communists, the international socialists. Today, religious freedom, once considered the first of our freedoms, has been tossed aside by many politicians for whom ideology trumps all personal freedom. Pray that out nation holds fast to the God-given freedoms enshrined in our constitution, so that we may, as Catholic Christians, “make disciples or all nations.” 

Finally, the absence of faith is fear, so be not afraid! Keep the faith! The God who loves us, the God who gave His Son for our redemption, is in charge. He will bring all to completion. Our nation, like all nations, is nothing more than an ephemeral human society that will eventually fade away. But God remains and will be with us forever.