Happy Fourth of July

This week I want to share an article by a fellow Anglican priest.  It’s a very helpful reflection on the July 4th holiday as a believer and how we can approach it as a church that worships in the Anglican tradition.  I hope you find it as a useful tool to pray for the country and reflect on freedom through scripture.

It is taken from a website resource I often read: anglicancompass.com.  If you are interested in any topic on Anglicanism, please take a look and you will find many other searchable subjects.  It’s a great resource!

Happy 4th of July!

Blessings and Peace,

Rev. Todd 

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Independence Day: A Rookie Anglican Guide

By Peter Johnston

The 4th of July, American Independence Day, is both a celebration of American political liberty and a universal commemoration of God’s priority over government. On this day, we remember that human laws are evaluated by the standard of God’s law, not the other way around.

The Collect

O Eternal God, through whose mighty power our fathers won their liberties of old; Grant, we beseech thee, that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain these liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

BCP 1928, pg. 264

The collect, composed by Bishop Edward Parsons of California, first appeared in the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. While giving thanks for the liberties we enjoy, it also prays for grace that we would use them well, in righteousness and peace. It is reminiscent of Paul’s instruction to the Galatians: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

The Origin of Independence Day

Independence Day takes its name and date from the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. Written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress, the bulk of the Declaration constitutes a list of the abuses of power of George III, the King of England. But the most important section is the preamble, which lays out a theological argument for political revolution:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.—That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Preamble to the Declaration of Independence

We can break down the argument as follows:

1. All men are equally creatures of the Creator.

2. This equality consists of certain rights God gives, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

3. The legitimacy of government depends upon the defense of these rights.

4. The people have the right to modify or establish a new government if the existing government fails to defend these rights.

Readings for Independence Day

Though the Book of Common Prayer lists Independence Day as an “optional commemoration” in the Calendar, it receives its own collect and proper readings, like the principal Holy Days of the church year:

• Deuteronomy 10:17-21

• Psalm 145

• Hebrews 11:8-16

• Matthew 5:43-48

The readings emphasize two critical truths for Independence Day. The first is that God is our ultimate King and Lord, thereby humbling the claims of any earthly king or lord. The second is that God calls upon his people to love the stranger and enemy, for they, too, were strangers and enemies in Egypt. The Old Testament reading contains both themes:

For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing. Love the sojourner, therefore, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the Lord your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen.

Deuteronomy 10:17-21

Taken together, these two themes help us rightly celebrate America for its heritage of freedom and avoid the pride that would judge the people of other nations. After all, our final home is in heaven, with people “from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” (Revelation 7:9).

Prayers for the Nation

The Prayer Book contains other prayers for the nation on page 35-36. These include the long and lovely occasional prayer titled “For our Nation”:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and conduction; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in thy Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1928 BCP pp. 36,