Observance Of A National Holiday

Although the church calendar does not include civil holidays, the message of the gospel does have important implications for life in government and society. Thus, some worship traditions have appropriated readings for selected civil holidays. Any national holiday is an appropriate occasion for the gathering of Christians for prayer. On such days, suggested readings are Jeremiah 29:4-14 or Micah 4:15; Psalms 20, 33, or 107:1-32; Romans 13:1-10; and Mark 12:13-17. An appropriate prayer is as follows: Lord of the nations, guide our people by your Spirit to go forward in justice and freedom. Give us what prosperity may be your will, but above all things give us faith in you, that our nation may bring glory to your name and blessings to all peoples, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer from the Lutheran Book of Worship…