Source of Life and Love,
today we give thanks
for the 250-year journey of our nation.
We celebrate the courage,
the dreams,
and the sacrifices
of those who sought freedom
and believed that a new future was possible.
Yet we also remember
that our story is unfinished.
We acknowledge the wounds of slavery,
the suffering of Indigenous peoples,
the exclusion of immigrants,
the denial of dignity to women,
the struggles of LGBTQ+ persons,
and every injustice that has prevented your dream
of justice, equality, and peace from flourishing among us.
As we gaze upon the Lady of Liberty,
may her torch become a beacon
lighting our way toward a more compassionate future.
May the words engraved beneath her feet
continue to challenge and inspire us:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...
May we become the people
who open our hearts before we open our borders,
who welcome before we judge,
who build bridges instead of walls,
and who recognize Christ
in every refugee,
every migrant,
every stranger,
every neighbor.
Teach us to create a nation
where no one is forgotten,
no one is disposable,
and no one is denied the dignity
that is the birthright of every beloved child of God.
Renew in us
the courage to speak truth,
the compassion to heal divisions,
the wisdom to protect our beautiful Earth,
and the determination
to seek justice for all.
May our churches become places of radical welcome.
May our communities become circles of belonging.
May our leaders choose dialogue over division,
service over power,
and the common good over personal gain.
As we celebrate this milestone,
may we recommit ourselves
to the dream still unfolding—
a nation where liberty is shared,
justice is lived,
peace is practiced,
and love is stronger than fear.
May the torch of freedom
shine not only from a monument in New York Harbor,
but within each of our hearts.
Bless America,
not because we are perfect,
but because your Spirit
is always inviting us
to become more loving,
more just,
more compassionate,
and more faithful
to the sacred dignity of every person.
Together,
may we continue building
the beloved community
where all are welcome,
all are valued,
and all belong.
Amen.
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