One Nation Under God

ONE NATION UNDER GOD

by HELEN STEINER RICE

THANKSGIVING IS MORE THAN A DAY IN NOVEMBER
THAT STUDENTS OF HISTORY
ARE TAUGHT TO REMEMBER,
FOR WHILE WE STILL OFFER
THE TRADITIONAL PRAYER,
WE PRAY OUT OF HABIT
WITHOUT BEING AWARE
THAT THE PILGRIMS THANKED GOD
JUST FOR BEING ALIVE,
FOR THE STRENGTH THAT HE GAVE THEM TO ENDURE AND SURVIVE.
WE TEND TO FORGET THAT OUR FOREFATHERS CAME
TO ESTABLISH A COUNTRY UNDER GOD'S NAME.
OH, TEACH US, DEAR GOD,
WE ARE ALL PILGRIMS STILL,
SUBJECT ALONE TO YOUR GUIDANCE AND WILL,
AND SHOW US THE WAY TO PURPOSEFUL LIVING
SO WE MAY HAVE REASON
FOR DAILY THANKSGIVING.





HE MAKES GRASS GROW FOR THE CATTLE,
AND PLANTS FOR MAN TO CULTIVATE-
BRINGING FORTH FOOD FROM THE EARTH.



PSALM 104:14
NIV



THE LORD IS YOUR PROTECTION;
YOU HAVE MADE GOD MOST HIGH YOUR PLACE OF SAFETY.
NOTHING BAD WILL HAPPEN TO YOU;
NO DISASTER WILL COME TO YOUR HOME.
HE HAS PUT HIS ANGELS IN CHARGE OF YOU
TO WATCH OVER YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.



PSALM 91:9-11
NCV



THE LORD HAS MERCY ON THOSE WHO RESPECT HIM,
AS A FATHER HAS MERCY ON HIS CHILDREN.



PSALM 103:13
NCV



DEAL BOUNTIFULLY WITH YOUR SERVANT,
SO THAT I MAY LIVE AND OBSERVE YOUR WORD.



PSALM 119:17
NRSV



I TRULY BELIEVE
I WILL LIVE TO SEE THE LORD'S GOODNESS.
WAIT FOR THE LORD'S HELP.
BE STRONG AND BRAVE,
AND WAIT FOR THE LORD'S HELP.



PSALM 27:13-14
NCV