"We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense." - President Barack Obama

Heavenly father, we acknowledge the presence of you in our lives - and the lives of others. We give thanks for the many blessings in our lives that can be missed as we encounter our different world. We continue to pray for those who are victims of the pandemic and also continue to pray for an end to inequality and an end to the systemic racism that exists in our country. As we pray this morning we pray about patriotism. Patriotism is a love for or devotion to one's country. Further as we pray we recognize that focusing on a country's flaws can be an act of patriotism.

LORD, we pray for an end to the times where actions and speech based in hate are labeled as patriotism when they have nothing to do with true love of country. It has been recently said that in the end, patriotism is about the preservation of the values of freedom, equality, tolerance in the American republic and applied to every American. We recognize LORD that the application to "Every American" is the key to true patriotism. Help us each to promote the true meaning of patriotism in all that we do. Amen.

Romans 12:1-5 I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

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