More and more, even as my husband approaches retirement after 20 years of military service, my prayers are jumbled with this experience.

When I was challenged to interpret Psalm 45:10-17 or Psalm 145:8-14 for the same weekend when the United States of America would be celebrating its founding, I couldn’t help thinking about my children.

This particular year being one where there would be more than fireworks. There are more years to marvel at how this “more perfect union” has miraculously held together, and I’m wondering what to say about this land. I’m wondering how to hold my faith in a place while still believing that there is more that God requires.

I’m not sure which psalm it speaks to as both are referenced, but only that it holds space for a God I believe in with all my heart.

Hear, O daughter, 
because you have asked 
so many questions after stumbling over 
the words, wondering what it means
when we pray for God’s kingdom come. 

These are words, O my daughter,
that you are just learning
to recite and you want so very much
to know what it is that you are praying.

You are so concerned with getting it right
because there is such a clear sense of right 
and wrong in you. I know, sweet girl,
even as you fight against injustice, 
you still want to wear those golden robes.
You dream of being a princess, 
though you know it’s impossible.

You still want the fantasy
and maybe I do too. I remember 
learning these words for the first time,
singing along with my classmates,
My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty.

Because you chanted
beside me, marching down
the street, calling out NO KINGS
and you have this idea
that kings are bad. 

I didn’t know who 
or what I was singing to
from every mountain side.
I’m not sure what royalty means 
now, but those lyrics got confused
with the words Jesus taught us 
to pray. I know, sweet girl. 
I remember.

I want to tell you
that God is more than
the land where our fathers died.
Or even the pilgrims pride.

I know you’ll get stuck on that
bit about dad though, because he 
has sworn to protect and obey 
the United States Constitution.
And sometimes, that makes me
scared too. Freedom has to be
more than death. 

I want to be able to 
tell you, my sweet girl, 
that God is good to all, 
gracious and merciful. God has
compassion for everyone and
everything, and this is 
what makes God 
like royalty.

O my sweet girl, I hope you’ll find yourself 
in a procession where you’re not 
the only one asking hard 
questions and demanding more
than the words we’ve taught you 
to sing and pray. 

Tell of your power, my little princess,
and you will learn how God 
upholds all who are falling,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Or this is what I dare to believe,
in the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.

I wrote this for the Living Psalms Project of the United Church of Christ. It can also be found on their website when it posts. If you’re looking for more inspiration for this Sunday in worship planning, you might find these songs and prayers helpful.