THE FAMILY ALTAR

July 4.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any

people." Prov. 14:34

This is Independence Day, and we will pray for our dear

country: Almighty and everlasting God, Thou righteous Judge of

all the earth. The nations of the world are before Thee as clay

is in the potter's hands. Thou didst bring our oppressed and

persecuted forefathers into this goodly Western World and didst

create us a free and independent nation on this ever memorable

and happy day. Through Thy gracious and fostering providence

we have grown to be a great and mighty people. Though our sins

are many and justly deserve Thy righteous punishments, Thou

hast spared us in Thy great mercy and hast preserved unto us

our beloved Union with its priceless civil and religious liberty.

We thank and praise Thee, on this birthday of our country, for

the matchless and boundless mercies Thou hast so unceasingly

showered on us and our children in this land of peace and plenty.

Oh, we beseech Thee in the name of Thy dear Son, our Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ, through whom alone Thy saving blessings

come upon us, to pardon and to save us still and to cause Thy

holy Word to be preached among us in all its converting and

sanctifying power, that the hearts of all our citizens may be inclined

toward Thee and we all may live in true faith before Thee and

walk in Thy fear and keep Thy statutes and commandments.

Endow our legislatures, both National and State, with wisdom

from on high that they may ever pass only such laws as are just

in Thy holy sight and redound to the peace and welfare of our

beloved country. Bless our President and all other executive

officers, all judges and magistrates, that they may execute our

laws without fear or favor, knowing that they judge not for man,

but for Thee, the sovereign Judge of all, who art with them in

the judgment. Preserve unto us the purity of the ballot, the

lawful liberty of speech, and the sanctity of our homes. Suppress

all secret plottings against the free institutions and the peace and

prosperity of our dear land, and take us into Thy safe-keeping

now and forevermore. Hear us as we pray.