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Dear Covenant Friends,
I almost never think about the American flag hanging on the pulpit side of the sanctuary. It’s nearly invisible to me when I stand in the pulpit preaching, as is the large wooden door meant to lead out to an entrance/exit directly on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Of course, it’s visible to most people worshipping and I gather it’s been hanging there quite a long time.
When I’ve attended worship in other countries, I’ve seen the flags in their sanctuaries too. It’s a contextual reminder that the universal church is in a particular place, with particular people. We are located here, and subject to the law of the land even as our faith transcends both nation and state and acknowledges the reign of God throughout the earth.
On the other side of the sanctuary, to the right of the congregation, there hangs a “Christian flag”, which originated in 1897 and is intended to have more universal significance. It is not a denominational flag or a church flag, but a symbol of our allegiance to Jesus Christ, who is above all others. It is a cardinal tenet of our faith that our loyalty to Christ comes above all earthly loyalties. The flag is mostly white, a color often used in churches for purity and peace, with a red cross symbolizing Jesus’ sacrifice, on a blue field representing truth and faithfulness. (i) I am often asked about this flag by students and visitors, try to notice it next time you are in the sanctuary.
On this Independence Day, we join in prayer…
Lord of all, we recognize that true freedom comes through you, that our ultimate loyalty belongs to you and that our real identity is bestowed upon us by you. Every day is a gift, every breath a moment to give you praise, every hour one in which to live what you command.
Knowing that you are Alpha and Omega, we ask for the wisdom to properly order all else. On this day when we celebrate our country’s independence, we give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy in this land: the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the ability to speak what is on our minds, even when what we have to say is contrary to popular opinion or public policy; and the freedom to worship (or not). Help us to recognize that such marks of human dignity are for all people and that you, O Lord, love and value every person and place you have made.
May our patriotism be subject to your law, our loyalty to country never higher than our obedience to your will, our pride of nation always secondary to our humble attempts to follow Jesus Christ. As we commemorate this Independence Day, we remember that all people are created equal, because you Lord created us all and called us good. May our actions, laws and hearts reflect the character of our Creator. Amen.
Prayer written by Rev. Jill Duffield, Presbyterian pastor, writer, wife, and mom (not listed in order of importance)
(i) - Information on flags from the book, “The Covenant Proclaims”
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