Blessings on this Fourth of July weekend. It was on the Second of July, 1776 that a resolution declaring freedom from Great Britain was approved by the Continental Congress. Two days later, edits to the draft of the Declaration of Independence were approved “In Congress, July 4, 1776.”
“When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
The following is a “Prayer for Government”, composed by Archbishop John Carroll in 1791, in commemoration of the Inauguration of President George Washington. Archbishop Carroll, then known as Bishop, was the only member of the Episcopacy in the United States. The See of Baltimore served as the center of American Catholicism until the dioceses of Bardstown (KY), Boston, New York, and Philadelphia were added in 1808. These are fitting words to reflect upon as we celebrate our Independence.
Be safe in your travels and celebrations. Please keep the members of our military, and their families, in your prayers. Blessings!
We pray you, O God of might, wisdom, and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed,
assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude
the President of these United States,
that his administration may be conducted in righteousness,
and be eminently useful to your people, over whom he presides;
by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion;
by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy;
and by restraining vice and immorality.
Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress,
and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government,
so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness,
the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge;
and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly,
for all judges, magistrates, and other officers
who are appointed to guard our political welfare,
that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection,
to discharge the duties of their respective stations
with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy,
all our fellow citizens throughout the United States,
that we may be blessed in the knowledge
and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law;
that we may be preserved in union,
and in that peace which the world cannot give;
and after enjoying the blessings of this life,
be admitted to those which are eternal.
Grant this, we beseech you, O Lord of mercy,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.