Prayer for America 05/24/06

Lord, we're a nation of collectors. We all keep mementos of people and events in our lives: a photograph, an item of jewelry, a stone from a secret place. Sometimes the things that bring back memories are less tangible. The smells of a scent that someone wore, baby powder, and home-baked apple pie can carry us back to the places and people we love.

We can't know what others will remember of us when we're gone. We can't know which of all the things we shared will become their memories and mementos. What we can do is live our lives so others will be able to look back on us with love.

Lord, help us always to live our lives so we'll be well remembered. Show us how to be loving, just, and faithful to friends, to family, and to you. Today, let us create lives that will become happy memories for us and those we love.