John 6:35 –
This passage
is the inspiration for the hymn “I heard
the Voice of Jesus say.”LSB #752
I heard the
voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou
weary one, lay down thy head upon My breast
I came to
Jesus as I was, So weary, worn and sad;
I found in Him
a resting place, And He has made me glad.
Christ
suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane. He felt both the pain and agony that are
a part of the human lot. As a human being, He prayed to have the cup of
suffering removed. Yet, He also prayed that God’s will be accomplished.
Christ
suffered on the cross. He felt the physical pain of being nailed to the cross.
He was utterly rejected by His Father. He was weighed down with the awesome
burden of the sins of the whole world. When we come to Him, He offers us
complete and total rest.
Today is
Independence Day. We give thanks to God for the freedoms we enjoy as society
and nation. Especially this year we pray for those who have been placed in the
position of leadership that by their guidance we may live our lives in
quietness and peace.
Collect for humility - O God, You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Grant us true
humility after the likeness of Your only Son that we may never be arrogant and
prideful and thus provoke Your wrath but in all lowliness be made partakers of
the gifts of Your grace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Collect for our nation – Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us who come from many nations with many different languages a untied people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that they may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful. In troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
The
American Flag copyright © Google Images
Prayers
for humility and our nation from Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis
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