Tea Time on Independence Day

O God our Creator,
with the founders of our country,
we believe that you have given all people
"certain inalienable rights...among these life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness."
We thank you for our country, for the freedom and opportunity it gives us,
and for its beauty and bounty.
As we celebrate with this meal
we ask you to bless our food and to bless our nation.
Help us to choose leaders inspired by its ideal
and mindful of the rights of all people.
Help us to use our nation's gifts wisely, and to extend your care to the needy of the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
~from Let's Say Grace