This is a prayer I wrote in my journal on Inauguration Day. 

Father God, I pray for our nation. First, I thank you for America and where I was born. We are not perfect, but she has shaped me, giving me opportunities I would not have had in other places or times – You have ordained me to be born here, for such a time as this – you have determined in this country and in this culture that I would find you and follow you.

I pray you will forgive us – for our division, for our treatment of those who are weaker, poorer; those not like us. Forgive us for our greed. Forgive us for demanding our rights and our freedoms but not exercising the compassion or responsibility that comes with it.

Help us to remember while we are all in the same storm, not all of us are in the same boat. Help us to rescue those who are perishing in this storm.

I pray we will come together in unity, not uniformity, understanding we all want what is best for our country though we may disagree on how to get there. May we stop resorting to caricatures and name-calling of those who view things differently. And may we be humble and brave enough to admit when we are wrong. And quick to apologize. May we not question motives but honestly believe the best of people even when we think they do not deserve it.

May critical thinking, truth, kindness, and civility once again rule the day. Help us to do the hard things.

I pray you will continue to bless us spiritually, physically, and economically. Help us to love and respect those who see things differently than us, remembering we all have the imagio dei in us. Help me to live and love like Jesus did…sacrificing His life, laying it down for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.