An Independence Day Prayer

Lord, we are a mighty empire,
     proud of our arms and our wealth.
We fancy they make us independent.
We believe they are signs of our righteousness.

But arms and wealth--they are idols,
     abominable in your sight.
They stunt our hearts and bind our spirits.
They breed fear, distrust, arrogance, greed.

The temple we have raised for them is called
     Fortress America.
We are prisoner-priests within its walls.

Move us this day, good Lord,
     To yearn for real independence.
Open our eyes to our self-imposed shackles.
Rip asunder the veil of our temple-fortress.

Stir our hearts, that we might seek
     vulnerability rather than power
     service rather than dominion
     peace rather than war
     reconciliation rather than preemption.

Inspire us to witness to the world by
     demolishing our killing instruments of war
     giving our wealth to the needy
     practicing apostolic simplicity
     forgiving our debtors
     and renouncing our mania to be a superpower.

Let us repent of empire, gracious God,
that we might embrace your Kingdom.  Amen.

The author, Kerry Walters, is an ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church, peace activist, author, and co-editor of "Episcopal Peace Witness," the national quarterly of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship.