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Prayers for America

3 traditional prayers for America, and 4 passages from the Bible to pray with them. Choose one, read it aloud, or print it as a card to keep.

Prayers

Prayer for Our Country

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogancy, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Prayer for Congress

Most gracious God, we humbly beseech thee, as for the people of these United States in general, so especially for their Senate and Representatives in Congress assembled; that thou wouldest be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations, to the advancement of thy glory, the good of thy Church, the safety, honour, and welfare of thy people; that all things may be so ordered and settled by their endeavours, upon the best and surest foundations, that peace and happiness, truth and justice, religion and piety, may be established among us for all generations. These and all other necessaries, for them, for us, and thy whole Church, we humbly beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ, our most blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen.

From the Book of Common Prayer (1928)

Thanksgiving Day Prayer for the Nation

Almighty God, ruler of all nations, we enter into thy gates with thanksgiving and into thy courts with praise. We know that the Lord he is God, and that he hath made us and not we ourselves. Thou art our Creator, our Preserver and our bountiful Benefactor. We would call upon our souls and all that is within us to bless and magnify thy holy name. We see thy hand in all our nation's history. For all our manifold blessings, national as well as personal, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. But in the midst of our thanksgiving we would remember our sins. May thy great goodness lead us to repentance. Forgive our national sins and shortcomings. Save us from forgetfulness of thee. Save us from the lust of power and of pride. So may we become a great nation in righteousness and great in thy service. All of which we ask in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Prayers for Special Days and Occasions (1930)

Also on Thanksgiving Prayers

Bible verses

If My People Shall Humble Themselves

14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14, King James Version

For Kings and for All in Authority

1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

1 Timothy 2:1-3, King James Version

Blessed Is the Nation Whose God Is the Lord

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 13The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. 14From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. 15He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. 16There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. 17An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. 18Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 33:12-22, King James Version

Righteousness Exalteth a Nation

34Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 14:34, King James Version

Questions

Which prayer for America should I start with?

Start with "Prayer for Our Country" and pray it each day, with If My People Shall Humble Themselves (2 Chronicles 7:14) to read alongside it.

Are these Catholic or Protestant prayers?

Both. They come from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, Protestant and Lutheran collections and the Bible. Most can be prayed by any Christian.

Can I change the words to fit my situation?

Yes. Where a prayer says "N." or "thy servant", put in the name of the person you are praying for.

Why are the prayers in old-fashioned English?

They keep the words of the older prayer books and the King James Bible, the words generations have prayed. "Thee" and "thou" are the old familiar forms of "you".