The "night before" a holiday sometimes seems as important as the day to follow: Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil, New Year's Eve, All Hallows Eve and - The Night Before the Fourth...
Keep watch tonight, O Lord,
over all the people of America
and all who depend on our nation
for protection and help...
Keep watch, O Lord,
through the twilight's last gleaming...
Keep vigil over our hearts:
hearts heavy with disappointment,
hearts filled with defiant hope,
hearts swelling with national pride,
hearts hardened by hurt and anger,
hearts determined to try, and try again,
hearts bent on insistent resistance,
hearts fearful of all that may lie ahead,
hearts ready to face whatever may come
hearts divided and filled with misgivings
hearts struggling, wounded and healing,
hearts resolved, certain and hopeful,
hearts bound as one for the common good,
hearts united in faith, in trust in you...
On the eve of our nation's birthday,
and all through the night ahead,
send your Spirit to move in our hearts, Lord,
with mercy and wisdom,
with healing and peace
and with every good gift that we may need
to greet, to face and live the day
that waits the dawn's early light...
Protect us all, Lord, while we're awake
and watch over us as we sleep
that awake, we may keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
Tonight's song is not patriotic but seemed a fit meditation for all the hearts we prayed for above...
Lord, Keep Us Safe
by Darren Bartlett and John Leland
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Lord, keep us safe this night,
secure from all our fears;
may angels guard us while we sleep.
Lord, keep us safe,
may angels guard our sleep
till morning
light appears.
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