This is a wonderful prayer written by Rabbi Michael Lerner, with some adaptation by Maureen Fiedler, first brought to our attention by Faithstones blog. Do share it with others also.
A Thanksgiving Prayer for the 4th of July
At this celebration, let's give thanks for the ordinary and extraordinary Americans whose struggles brought about the best of the United States:
FOR THE WAVES of immigrants from all parts of the world who struggled to accept each other and find a place in this country ...
FOR THE ESCAPED SLAVES and their allies, particularly Quakers, evangelical Christians, and freedom-loving secularists, who built the underground railroad and helped countless people to freedom ...
FOR THE COALITIONS of people -- women and men, black and white -- who built popular support for the emancipation of the slaves ...
FOR THE AFRICAN AMERICANS and allies who went to prison, lost their livelihoods, and were savagely beaten in the struggle for civil rights ...
FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE who championed protections like the eight-hour day, minimum wage, workers' compensation, and the right to organize, often at great personal cost to themselves ...
FOR THE IMMIGRANTS who fought against "nativist" tendencies and refused to close the borders of this country to new groups of immigrants, and who continue to support a policy of "welcoming the stranger" just as this country opened its gates for their ancestors when they were the immigrants and strangers ...
FOR THE WOMEN who risked family, job security, and reputations to shift our collective consciousness about men and women and raise awareness of the effects of patriarchy ...
FOR ALL OF THOSE who risk scorn and violence to lead the struggle against homophobia and for the acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people ...
FOR THOSE WHO continue to work for equal access for people with disabilities ...
FOR THOSE WHO advocate for sensitivity to animals and to the earth itself ...
FOR ALL OF THE INNOVATORS and artists who have brought, and bring, so much beauty and usefulness into our lives ...
FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT to extend democratic principles not only in politics but also in the work place and in the economy ...
FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOPED innovations in science and technology, and methods to protect ourselves from the destructive impacts of some of these new technologies ...
FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOPED psychological insights and increased our ability to be sensitive to our impact on others ...
FOR THOSE WHO DEVELOPED ecological awareness and made us aware that we are one with all creation ...
FOR THOSE WHO BROUGHT the insights of their own particular spiritual traditions -- which emphasize love and caring and generosity toward others -- and sought to turn these ideas, not only into a call for personal charity, but also into a mission of justice to transform our economic and political systems in ways that reflect those values ...
FOR THOSE WHO WORK TIRELESSLY to stop war, and establish a time of peace and non-violence in our world ...
FOR ALL who represent the best of the American tradition...we give thanks. Amen.
CLICK AND READ "DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: CHERISHED SYMBOL OF LIBERTY DRAFTED BY THOMAS JEFFERSON" "
CLICK AND READ "JULY 4TH IN HISTORY"
TO READ OTHER HOLIDAY "MEDITATIONS & PRAYERS" IN ETHIC SOUP CLICK HERE.
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