EL CAJON, CA - In a quiet, solemn moment Friday afternoon, local churchgoer Grant O'Neill took a few minutes to prepare his heart to give glory and honor to the United States at his church's exciting Independence Day service this Sunday.

Knowing that he would be attending the upcoming patriotic service, O'Neill spent some time in quiet reflection over the state of his heart, so he'd be spiritually ready to give the U.S.A. his all on the Lord's Day.

"Lord, as I prepare to attend my church's Independence Day Bonanza this Sunday, I just pray that I would decrease and that the United States would increase, as I just learn to love America above all else with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my strength," he prayed to himself. "Let all distractions fade away. I know that as I gaze upon the American flags draped all over your house of worship, the things of earth will begin to grow strangely dim."

O'Neill further prayed that the Lord would help him to be well-rested and refreshed on Sunday morning, so he could "really belt out" the lyrics to "America the Beautiful," "The Star-Spangled Banner," and Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue" along with the choir.