Father,
It is appropriate tonight in closing our celebration of Ronald Reagan’s birth 100 years ago, to recognize three master works provided us under your hand.
Some might say that Reagan succeeded so brilliantly because he followed four rather dismal, ineffective and flawed presidents. I believe that is only partially true.
It is true that in transcending the failures and shortcomings of Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter – Reagan was seen as a bright beacon of inspiration and renewal.
But little did we know then – just how much this great and humble man would mean to us, as a nation and to the world, and to “We the People.” He became our lamp. He led us out of the Cold War with victory and into a time of unprecedented economic strength.
It is as though you, Father – and our founders, reached across the ages to craft a president with all the necessary qualities that “We the People” needed to salvage our destinies from the blunderers who had lost their way.
Father,
In earlier times of great national peril, you wrought two similar miracles of destiny for our nation and gifted them to us.
By your hand Father, you forged a man of such profound strength, honor and courage that he could defeat the world’s mightiest empire and give birth to a new nation that would develop into the most enlightened and benevolent country the world would ever know.
Father,
When the flaws of our cultural British heritage of class privilege and servitude grew into festering wounds in a divided nation, you again forged and sent to us another man of such profound strength, determination and humanity as to bring forth from the blood and ashes of civil war, a nation reawakened and rededicated in its quest for a new beginning – more in keeping with your plan for equal justice for all.
I am given to wonder, Father – what is it that caused all three of these great works by your hand, of skill, wisdom and courage, to have been born in this month of February. Why is our shortest month our most gifted month with such profound leadership?
Is it coincidence, Father? Or is it providence?
Father, we are faced with a new election for president in November, 2012. We humbly pray tonight that you will forge and send us, again, a new leader with the qualities of these three great examples of your good works.
But mostly, Father, we pray you will give each of us the wisdom to see this leader among the crowd and to pledge our fortunes, our sacrifice and our sacred honor, to insure a new beginning for our great nation.
We pray tonight that you will guide us home safely, that you will temper the resolve of our sitting representatives in Washington and Richmond to do their utmost to repair the damage being done by the incompetents – and that in future generations, our children will look back on these times of trial, and realize that all things are possible within the faith and direction provided by You.
In Jesus’ Name We Pray,
Amen
Jerry L. Gore
MCRW Chaplain
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