Prayer for America
O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.
~ Abdu’l-Baha, Baha’i Prayer
Today can be seen as America’s birthday… the day that this democratic state was born by revolting from what was seen as an unfair and oppressive government. In the more than 200 years that has passed since that day, the United States of America has become a great nation in the world that serves as a example of the democratic process. Although it is far from perfect, there are many ways in which it has served to further the progress of humankind.