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Prayer of Blaine Smith, author of Knowing God's Will

Our Gracious Lord,

Thank you for the unspeakable freedom we enjoy in this country - freedom to seek your will without fear of persecution, and freedom to follow those dreams that reflect your best intentions for our life.

Thank you that you give to each of us gifts and opportunities that are unparalleled in history -- to be creative, to help others and to the share the love of Christ. We are humbled to realize, dear Lord, that you enable us to accomplish things with our lives that are important to your mission on this earth, and to meet needs of others that will go unmet if we do not respond. Thank you that you give us each uniqueness in our mix of talents and opportunities, that we can know there is extraordinary purpose in living each day earnestly and in responding to the needs and responsibilities you bring before us.

Forgive us for how much time we use up ruminating over what we dont have, and how much energy we waste comparing ourselves unfairly with others. Help us to cherish the gifts, the opportunities and the life you have given to us personally, and to see this day - and each day - as a treasured gift to invest our life for Christ. Touch us deeply with compassion for those around us and with wisdom to understand how we can best encourage them in light of whom you have personally created us to be.

We know also, merciful God, that you create nations, as individuals, as unique, with distinctive callings and opportunities in history. Give to the leadership of our country profound understanding of Americas mission, and grant to them the gifts and grace to lead our country in light of that purpose. We ask also that you will strengthen our country greatly from within; bring many more people into a relationship with Christ, and Christians into a greater conviction that they can make a radical difference by living their life whole-heartedly for Christ. And give to us who know Christ a greater passion to pray daily for our country and its leadership, to the end that these things may be possible, for we pray with thanksgiving, and great expectation, in Jesus Name, Amen.