This is Independence Day in the United States, 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. 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.

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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