At times it seems the United States is no longer united. In these troubling times, I thought we should consider how our forefathers faced the foundation of our new American nation. They began in prayer!
The First Prayer of the Continental Congress, (9 AM) September 7, 1774 – On the second day of the Continental Congress, Samuel Adams proposed the session be opened with prayer. Jacob Duché an Anglican clergyman opened their first session with prayer. He prayed, “O Lord our Heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee. To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come. All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.” Amen. (Office of Chaplain).
In 1875 the Library of Congress produced a placardconcerning the impactthat first prayer had on Congress. “Washington was kneeling, and Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side the Puritan Patriots of New England, who had reason to believe that an armed soldiery was wasting and destroying their humble homes in Boston. They prayed fervently for America, for Congress, for Massachusetts Bay, and especially for Boston.” Samuel Adams said, “As they prayed I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the grave, pacific Quakers. It was enough to melt a heart of stone.” (independentamericanparty.org).
Now that you have read the first prayer of Congress, would you now pause and pray that God will continue to bless America? Pray He will give divine interventions and help us as a nation put our trust in Him. May our prayers again make a great impact and influence upon our government and our nation. America is great because we have a great God. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14). Our land needs hope and healing. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psa. 33:12). May the first prayer of Congress in 1774 be our prayer in 2020. God bless America!
