Fr Ben Garren

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Today is Independence Day and over the past decade it has been asked that we meditate on three collects on this occasion. The first, to be expected, is the Book of Common Prayer Collect for Independence Day:

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

These words have not rested easy on the lips of many who were asked to pray them because of the phrase “won liberty for themselves and for us” because of the reality of slavery, of the creation of reservations for indigenous persons, of the struggle of women for equal standing to men under the law, and for other similar struggles for all of us to have such liberty. On account of that, two prayers—one from our Book of Common Prayer and one from the Anglican Church of Canada—have been suggested as better places for us to ground ourselves today:

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Almighty God, whose wisdom and whose love are over all, accept the prayers we offer for our nation. Give integrity to its citizens and wisdom to those in authority, that harmony and justice may be secured in obedience to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Independence Day is part of some greater reality, a movement towards justice, liberty, and equality that we must engage in our devotion to the Law, Prophets, and Gospel. This was, in part, what prompted many of the founding fathers to take up the work they did. What we cannot forget is that this work is never done and our striving for it must never cease until Christ comes again.

Pax,

—Ben