Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness brings prosperity to a nation, but wickedness is a disgrace to a people.
True strength does not stem from powerful ships and cannons or towering city walls, for material barriers will eventually crumble with the changing times. "Justice" is the enduring backbone of a nation. This justice is not only the fairness of the law, but also embodied in the honest pursuit of truth and empathy for the suffering of the vulnerable. Dr. Peter Parker, in the impoverished and weak old China, practiced this compassion that transcended national boundaries with his scalpel. On the road to success, have we, in our pursuit of the "height" of power, neglected to look down and see the suffering of our neighbors? A nation and an individual who walk towards the light must first learn to revere truth and to sow the seeds of justice in the smallest of people, for that is the only cornerstone for upholding life.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for correcting our misguided gaze through the scriptures and the examples of the sages. Grant us a heart that thirsts for truth, so that we are not blinded by false prosperity; grant us compassionate hearts, so that we may care for those vulnerable people struggling in the shadows. Lord, let righteousness prevail on our land as it does in heaven, and let us understand that only when love and truth meet can a nation and its life attain true honor. Remove the "walls" of selfishness we have built in our hearts, and let us learn to use Your love as a shield and Your Word as our protection. May we not only be recipients of grace, but also transmitters of righteousness and warmth. This prayer is offered in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen.