Collect for These Times

The Eucharistic service today at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, included the prayer below in addition to the Collect for the Day. The priest said it was a Collect for Independence Day, and later said it might better be called A Collect for Freedom.

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Lord God Almighty, in whose name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.