Prayer for America 05/15/06

Father, we read American history in books and watch it on TV. But millions of people in America hold that history in their heads and hearts. They've lived the last sixty, seventy, eighty or more years of our national story. Thank you, Lord, for these touchstones to our past who have learned wisdom from the best teacher--experience.

Help the rest of us, Lord, honor and respect those older than ourselves. Give us the time and patience to stop and listen to what they have to say. Help us shower them with both national and personal honor. And help America grow stronger as we practice the wisdom of our elders.