O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants, who spoke in your name to our representatives, our governors, and our fathers, and to all the people of this land.
To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the people of these states, to the inhabitants of our land, and to all Americans, those who recognize you, and those who think they do, because we have committed treachery against you. To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our representatives, to our justices β who have savaged justiceβand to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.
To you, O LORD, belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against you and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which you set before us by your servants the prophets, teachers and pastors. All America has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in your Word have been and will be poured out upon us, because we have sinned against you. Your words will be confirmed, for under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what we have done against you in this land. O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, sent your Son to die for our transgressions, and have made a name for yourself throughout the whole world and all time, we have sinned; we have executed wickedness before you this day.
O LORD, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away from our country, because of our sins, and the multiplied iniquities of our people. We have become a byword among all who are watching; we are known for our wickedness and our profligacy. Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to our pleas for mercy, and for your own sake, O Lord, make your face to shine upon this land, which is desolate and in rebellion, slaying the innocent and blaspheming your character, twisting your image and practicing hate in the name of love. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our devastation, and the people who yet call your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, pay attention and act! Delay not, for your own sake, because your people are called by your name, and they are languishing: some in tears, some in ignorance, and some in rebellion. Heal us, O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Send upon us your Holy Spirit with an anointing to proclaim your word, to live faithfully according to your laws, and in accordance with the covenant you have made with us. Raise up your daughters and your sons, that they each will speak forth your truth without fail, and cast visions of holiness throughout this land. Let all the people of this nation know for certain that God has made Jesus both King and Savior, and move multitudes to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, that they might receive the Holy Spirit and honor you as Lord.
Bend the necks of our governors, our magistrates, and our representatives that they may acknowledge you as Sovereign, and lead our nation into repentance. Rise up, O Lord, defend your honor, rescue your people, who are called by your name. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
(c.f., Daniel 9, Joel 2, Acts 2)
Long-ing For Life 