Flag Day Prayer
Flag Day in the United States celebrates the anniversary of the passing of a resolution in 1777 to make the red, white and blue “Stars and Stripes” the national flag. This Flag Day prayer will remind us of the truths that we are all unified under the banner of Christ.
Flag Day Prayer
Dear God of our Fathers,
On Flag Day we remember the U.S. flag as a unifying symbol of the people who live in our country. Although it is simply a banner of fabric and colors, it reminds us of our shared history and our call to live together as neighbors, compatriots and friends.
May we honor the principles behind our flag of freedom and justice for all.
We affirm today that we are one nation, under God.
We give thanks to our God for all our country stands for and all it is yet to be. But we know we cannot fulfill our pledge without God’s help and grace.
We recall that in Exodus, Moses built an altar and called You Jehovah-Nissi or “The Lord is my banner” after You helped Israel’s army defeat their enemies.
As we honor the flag of our country, may we honor the eternal banner of God that marks us as God’s children and citizens of his eternal Kingdom.
We remember the Song of Solomon where it says, “He has brought me to his banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” (2:4 NIV)
As we recall the love of Jesus for us, we place ourselves under his Lordship and governance, pledging to be loyal citizens of His Kingdom.
Amen.
About this Flag Day Prayer
Flag Day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. flag as the national emblem on June 14, 1777 by the Continental Congress. At that time the flag was ordered to be flown over all government buildings.
Flag Day is largely a commemorative celebration and not a national holiday. (Pennsylvania is the only state that recognizes Flag Day as a legal holiday.) Celebrations usually include raising of the flag, a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem. Some areas have parades or special ceremonies.
Other countries also have days in which they honor their national flags. These include Denmark, Finland,, Portugal and others.
Why I Wrote This Flag Day Prayer
I noticed Flag Day on the June calendar and was curious to know more about it since it wasn’t anything our family had previously celebrated. As I learned about Flag Day I remembered in school reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, and “to the republic for which it stands.” This pledge reminds us that flags are symbols of larger ideals.
Although holidays such as Flag Day are not religious in nature, holidays always remind us of something noble or good meant to inspire us to live well. When writing a prayer about a non-religious holiday, I always mediate on the virtues celebrated in the bigger context of how this relates to God and our relationship to him.
Other Articles of Interest
Biblical Guided Prayer for National Day of Prayer Using Daniel’s Prayer from the Bible
Prayer of Hope Using the Star Spangled Banner During Life Problems
Copyright Karen Barber 2024. All rights reserved.
