Prayer for Democracy

Maker of the stars and Master of the nations of the earth, we pray for the future of all countries engaged in the audacious, ever changing, ever challenging experiment of democracy.
May we never grow weary of our task because of its difficulties.
Grant us faith in humanity and confidence that truth will triumph in free and open encounter. We seek flexibility of mind and a willingness to try new experiments, so that we may create the conditions which make us free and equal, enhance human dignity and self-resect, and establish a fair measure of economic security for our people.
Bind upon each of us a sense of our individual accountability to You, that we may do what is just, rising above prejudice to make the good of all our aim.
So shall we take our place with those who labor that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth, but will express the living common faith of the human family. 

--The Rt. Reverend William J. Scarlett (1883-1973), former dean of Christ Church Cathedral, V Bishop of the Diocese of Missouri, 1930-1950.

The Rt. Rev. William J. Scarlett and Eleanor Roosevelt, at his retirement party in 1950.
Photo from the Archives of te Episcopal Church.