Feasts, Holidays & Seasons

Prayer For Flag Day

Flag Day, 14 June, marks the day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress adopted the first official flag: thirteen stripes and thirteen stars “in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it a national observance in 1916, and Congress made it official in 1949.

3 minute read

For Christians, a flag is not an object of worship, but it is a symbol of real people and real promises. These prayers ask God to bless the country it stands for and to make it live up to its best ideals.

Historical Context

Date: 14 June

First flag adopted: 14 June 1777, by the Continental Congress

National observance: proclaimed 1916, made official by Congress 1949

Scripture: prayer for those in authority, 1 Timothy 2:1–2

The Pledge of Allegiance, often recited on Flag Day, ends with “liberty and justice for all.” Those are words a Christian can pray as well as pledge: a request that the country become, more and more, what it says it is.

A Prayer for Flag Day

Lord, on this Flag Day we thank you for our country.
Thank you for the freedoms this flag stands for,
and for those who gave their lives to defend them.
Where our nation lives up to liberty and justice for all, keep it strong.
Where it falls short, forgive us and help us do better.
Bless our leaders with wisdom and our people with goodwill.
Amen.

For Those Who Served Under the Flag

Lord, remember the men and women who carried this flag into danger,
and those who came home under it, draped over their coffins.
Give them rest, and comfort their families.
Help us honour them by how we live.
Amen.

For Unity

Lord, we fly one flag but live as a divided people.
Help us remember what we share.
Make us one nation again, under you.
Amen.

Best Times for This Prayer

On 14 June, when the flag is raised.
At a Scout, school or veterans’ flag ceremony.
On Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
When retiring a worn flag.

Scripture Connection

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” — 1 Timothy 2:1–2

Paul’s instruction is to pray for the nation and its leaders “first of all.” He wrote it under Roman rule, to Christians who had no vote and many reasons to complain. Praying for one’s country is not approval; it is love.

Related prayers

For Independence Day, see the Prayer for the 4th of July. For those in uniform, the Marine’s Prayer, and for national leaders, the Prayer for Presidents Day.

More feasts, holidays & seasons prayers

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About Stephen S. Griffin

Stephen S. Griffin is the pen name of the person who runs Guided by Prayer, a reference library of prayers. How the prayers are written and sourced.