This is Andrew-
I feel like I should make that clear as to not cause any confusion as to the masculine tone of this post.
I am writing to let you know that I've been reading for a few years now, and even more recently have I begun journeying into a vast and unknown section of reading called "books". One of the first books I ever read was by an author named Donald Miller. If you haven't heard of him, shame on you. He is one of the greatest Christian literary writers of our generation.
Anyway, he was given the opportunity to say the closing prayer at the Democtratic National Convention last night and I thought you all out there in the land of the www would like to take a gander.
Here is the full text of the prayer: (If you want to just watch the video instead, I insist on visiting the website http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/ )
"Father God,
This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.
We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.
Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.
Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.
Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.
Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.
Help us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.
Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.
We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.
Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.
A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.
Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.
Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.
Lastly, father, unify us.
Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.
And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.
God we know that you are good.
Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.
I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.
Let Him be our example.
Amen."
http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/
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