As chaplain of the United States Senate, Peter Marshall prayed over the leaders of our country many times. His simple words of child-like faith are still applicable to us and our leaders today. 

Lord God of Heaven, who hath so lavishly blessed this our beloved land, keep us humble. Forgive our boasting and our pride, and help us to share what Thou hast given. Impress us with a sense of responsibility, and remind us lest we become filled with conceit, that one day a reckoning will be required of us. 

Sanctify our love of country, that our boasting may be turned into humility and our pride into a ministry to all men everywhere. Make America Thy servant, Thy chosen channel of blessing to all lands, lest we be cast out, and our place be given to another. Make this God’s own country by making us willing to live like God’s people. 

We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Monday, March 3, 1947

Perhaps these words are even more applicable to us now, at the beginning of a new year, than they were when he spoke them. Will we be as Peter says, “willing to live like God’s people” in 2023? 

Are we willing to make the sacrifices associated with the title, “God’s people”? 

Prayer taken from “The Senate Prayers of Peter Marshall” by Chapman Billies Inc.