Happy 4th of July! Adam Hamilton suggests that as you celebrate Independence Day you might find it interesting to go back and re-read the Declaration of Independence. You can find it at the National Archives. July 4th was the day the declaration was officially approved by Congress. The War of Independence had actually begun a year before, and the Congress had formally voted for independence from Great Britain on July 2nd. This document was not adopted by Congress until the 4th. The version we know of was actually printed and signed on August 2nd.
Especially today, we pray for our nation, her leaders, and her defenders. Our thoughts and prayers are with our military service men and women and their families, both present and past. If you are not sure what to pray, this prayer, written by Thomas Jefferson (who also drafted most of the Declaration of Independence) might be helpful:
Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those 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 time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~Washington D.C., March 4, 1801
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