Every inch of this land is blessed,
From sea to sea, from east to west.
Together, let us build and strive,
To keep democracy alive.
Justice, mercy, peace we seek,
For every soul, the strong and weak.
May empathy replace divide,
And let love’s hand be our guide.
With power used to lift the poor,
Let kindness reign forevermore.
For all who hunger, for all who yearn,
May we invite them in, and learn.
For in each heart, God’s image lives,
And to each soul, our love He gives.
If we bring grace, and peace increase,
Our land will shine, be a place of peace.
May we become a beacon bright,
A blessing shared, a guiding light.
With unity and justice near,
We’ll spread God’s love, far and clear.
By Medard Laz
“May empathy replace divide, and let love’s hand be our guide.” How have these words come to life for YOU this past week?
WHEN GOD WANTS YOU TO GROW, GOD MAKES YOU FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE!
My Commentary:
This poem is both a prayer and a patriotic vision—a stirring call to moral responsibility rooted in divine love. It sees the nation not merely as geography, but as sacred ground—“blessed from sea to sea”—meant to reflect the justice, mercy, and peace of God.
The verses gently but firmly challenge us to go beyond partisan lines and build a society that reflects the heart of the Gospel. It doesn’t ask who deserves justice or help—it insists that all do. It calls on us to use our freedoms not for self-interest, but to “lift the poor” and to “invite in” the forgotten and excluded.
At the core of this vision is the belief that God’s image is stamped on every person. That belief changes everything. If every soul is sacred, then no one is disposable. If grace abides among us, then our collective mission must be to increase peace and unity, not division and fear.
The final image of the land as “a beacon bright” and “a guiding light” echoes the Gospel teaching that we are to be a light to the world. But this light does not come from military power or economic dominance—it comes from love, unity, and compassion. It is a call for a spiritual form of patriotism: one that puts people above politics, and the dignity of every soul above every system.
This poem is a timely and timeless reminder: our democracy flourishes not when we are comfortable, but when we are courageous.
My Prayer Reflection:
God of justice and mercy,
You have blessed this land with beauty, diversity, and promise.
You call us not only to enjoy its freedoms,
But to use them with compassion, humility, and purpose.
Help us to see You in every neighbor,
From the bustling cities to the quiet farms,
In every voice—young or old, strong or frail.
Let no soul be forgotten, and no life deemed unworthy.
May we be builders of bridges, not walls;
Sowers of peace, not fear;
Voices for the voiceless, defenders of the weak.
Let us use our strength not to dominate, but to uplift.
Where there is injustice, give us the courage to speak.
Where there is division, help us listen and heal.
Where there is comfort, disturb us for the sake of growth.
And where there is despair, let us carry the light of hope.
May this land truly shine—
Not only in wealth or might,
But in goodness, grace, and love.
Through our lives, Lord, may Your peace take root and bloom. Amen.
There are 365 other poems in my book, A POEM A DAY TO PRAY 2025. Many people are giving it as gifts. It is available on Amazon. Please share my Message with others this 4th of July. This Message will get a lot of people thinking and hopefully talking. Invite them to subscribe to: TreatsfortheSoul.org. Do listen to my Podcast by clicking the white arrow in the blue circle and invite others to listen as well.
