Prayer for America 01/15/06

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Martin lived among us, O God, and showed us how to live in love. He preached, taught, and marched in the name of love. He preached, taught, and marched in the name of love. He was thrown into a jail cell yet spoke only in return. When he and his family endured bomb threats and verbal abuse, he responded in love. He was shot down because some who heard him could not accept his message of love. Yet the events his words set in motion could not be stopped, and our world has not been the same since Dr. King led the way.

help us remember his dream, O Lord, that one day all people can dwell together in unity regardless of their differences. Give us the courage to act in love, speak in love, respond only out of love--not just today as we honor Dr. King, but all days, so that the world can still learn that love and tolerance are the only way to live in freedom as one United States. In the spirit of that great love that can unite us, we pray. Amen.