On Thursday, we celebrate the 4th of July.  There are a lot of patriotic songs that mention God in them - God Bless the USA, America the Beautiful, My Country Tis of Thee, God Bless America, and many more  - some of which appear in our hymnals and songbooks.  And, while the history and intent of many of these songs was different, more often than not the way that they are used now is as if to say “America is the best!  God loves us most!”  God certainly does love us but in equal measure to how God loves the rest of the world.

One of my favorite songs to sing around Independence Day is “This is My Song” and we’ll be singing it on Sunday.  The lyrics praise God for the beauty of our country while also acknowledging that the beautiful sun, skies, and flora are not ours alone.  The final verse paraphrases parts of the Lord’s Prayer.  It stands as a reminder that God is the Lord of all of the lands of the earth and that it is God’s kingdom on earth that we await and work toward together.

This is my song, O God of all the nations;  
A song of peace for lands afar and mine. 
This is my home, the country where my heart is; 
Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine;
But other hearts in other lands are beating 
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean, 
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight too, and clover, 
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
So hear my song, O God of all the nations, 
a song of peace for their land and for mine.

This is my prayer, O Lord of all earth’s kingdoms, 
Your kingdom come, on earth Your will be done.
Let Christ be lifted up till all shall serve him, 
and hearts united learn to live as one.
So hear my prayer, O God of all the nations;
Myself I give thee; let thy will be done.