Prayer for America 07/22/06

Lord, as our country grew, we asked for pleasure, and you gave us hard work. We asked for happiness, and you gave us grief. We asked for success, and you gave us struggle.

We did not understand then that these were your gifts to us. For without hard work, we would not know the pleasure of leisure. Without struggle, we would not appreciate success. Without grief, we would not understand how priceless happiness is.

In your wisdom you have given us what we need in order to achieve the things we desire. In so doing, you have made us stronger. How wonderful are your ways in all the earth!