Prayer for America 05/20/06

We map the passage of our lives by our rituals, great and small. Our rituals can be simple and personal or elaborate and valid for an entire nation. Our life maps are shaped by the celebration of births, baptisms, graduation, marriages, and rites of passing. The passing of our years is measure in feasts and holy days.

We need our rituals. They give us comfort, community, and a feeling of belonging. Our feasts also give us purpose, direction, and the knowledge we have something to share with each other.

Prayer is like that. A daily prayer time helps us feel closer to you, Lord, and makes us feel part of the family of God. Encourage us to create and keep our daily rituals of prayer so that we always know when and where we are on the map of our lives.