A Collection of Prayers

O merciful Father in heaven,
all rule and authority
in the kingdoms of the world
comes from you,
and you hold in your hand
all the might of humanity.
You have instituted
the governing authorities that exist
for the punishment of those who do wrong
and for the approval of those who do good.
Look on your servants,
the President of the United States,
the governor of this state,
our judges and officials,
and all the rulers of the earth.
May all who have authority
work as your servants
and use their authority
according to your will and command.
Enlighten and defend them by your name, O God.
Give them wisdom and understanding,
that under their peaceful governing
your people may be guarded and directed
in righteousness, quietness and unity.
God of our salvation,
protect and prolong their lives,
that we, with them,
may declare the praise of your name;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Slightly modified from the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917, 1918)

Almighty God,
you have given us a land
where we are free to read and hear your Word,
confess your name
and work together
for the extension of your kingdom.
May the liberty given us
be continued to our children
and our children’s children,
that the power of the gospel
may here increase
to the blessing
of all the nations of the earth
and to your eternal glory;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Source: Henry Eyster Jacobs, 1917, slightly modified from the Common Service Book of the Lutheran Church (1917, 1918)

Original in traditional English:

ALMIGHTY God, Who hast given us a land, wherein we are free to read and hear Thy Word, to confess Thy Name, and to labor together for the extension of Thy Kingdom: Grant, we beseech Thee, that the liberty vouchsafed unto us, may be continued to our children and our children’s children, and that the power of the Gospel may here abound, to the blessing of all the nations of the earth, and to Thine eternal glory; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.