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- Pray for our leaders in Congress!
- A legacy of prayer among our leaders—did you know?
- President Bush's great words on prayer.
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President Bush tries on an official Navy jacket at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He was there to speak to the graduates at their commencement. Photo courtesy of the
White House. |
- Pray for President Bush as he meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Tuesday, June 7. Since these men are good friends, they have many concerns to discuss, especially before the G-8 Summit meets in Gleneagles, Scotland in July. So pray that God will guide every moment of their time together and that He will lead them as they lead others.
- President and Mrs. Bush are going to their ranch for the weekend, so it's a great time to pray that God will protect them and give them terrific times of refreshment and encouragement while they are there. Pray that they will meet Him in wonderful new ways and will return to Washington with new strength and insight.
- Since we are focusing on the Congress this week, it's a great time to pray for the members of Congress to trust and honor God with the same faith that our Founding Fathers had. Pray that they will look to God for wisdom and guidance, setting aside their personal agendas and choosing to serve the greater good.
- Our troops keep on serving our country, working hard as they protect our freedom and our rights as guaranteed by the Constitution. So it's a very good time to thank God for every member of the military and pray that He will surround them with His love and protection.
Senate Majority Leader—
William Frist |
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| Photo courtesy of the U.S. Senate. |
As Senate Majority Leader, Bill Frist, M.D. serves as a representative for the members of his party in the Senate. Currently, the Republicans have the majority, so Senator Frist was elected by a conference of his party to serve in this way. He also manages the schedule for the legislative and executive business of the Senate and recognizes those who request permission to speak on the floor of the Senate. The Majority Leader plays a key role in the the business of the Senate as well as working with others to get things done.
Senate Minority Leader—
Harry Reid |
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| Photo courtesy of the U.S. Senate. |
Harry Reid serves as the leader of the minority in the Senate. Since the Democrats are currently the minority, Senator Reid was elected by a conference of his party to this role. He serves as a spokesperson for the concerns of his party in the Senate as well as working on the schedule for the business to be dealt with on the Senate floor.
You have taught children and nursing infants to give you praise. They silence your enemies who were seeking revenge.
—Psalm 8:2
Then after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
—Joel 2:28
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| Image courtesy of the U.S. Congress. |
Last week we talked about your legacy—what you would leave behind that others remember you by. This week we want to remind you about the rich legacy of faith that has marked our nation's Congress. There are all kinds of great moments and experiences that show us that our faith and our government were never meant to be kept apart, but instead, are intricately linked—even today!
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| This wood carving shows four of our Founding Fathers, John Adams, Gourvernor Morris, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
Faith of Our Fathers is a great hymn, published in 1849. It speaks of the great faith and sacrifices of all who have gone before us in faith—not just the Founding Fathers. It's an inspiring reminder of the wonderful heritage of faith we have, from the Patriarchs of the Old Testament all the way up to today! Click here to listen.
Click here to read all the words to Faith of Our Fathers:
Our Bible speaks of the importance of faith in many places. There is one really great chapter of the Bible that tells us about the "Faith Hall of Fame" or all the people who have gone before us in faith. They are wonderful examples of how we can live by faith today, setting an example of godliness for others and finding encouragement when things get rough. Do you know where it is?
Hover HERE to read.
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This painting by Painted by T.H. Matteson around 1850 shows the first thing that happened when the Continental Congress gathered
on September 7, 1774. They took time for prayer! Image courtesy
of the Library of Congress. |
The members of the Continental Congress—those who governed the Colonies from 1774-1789—included many men of great and abiding faith. They gave themselves wholeheartedly to strengthening religious practice in the Colonies possibly with more excitement and passion than any other group of American government leaders since!
Though the Articles of Confederation did not call for the Continental Congress to promote religious welfare and encourage participation, Colonials certainly didn't object to this fervency on the part of their leaders. Their acceptance of these practices shows us that both legislators and citizens alike thought it was appropriate for the national government to promote Christianity, as long as they didn't insist on one form. Indeed, by the time the framers of the Constitution were at work, Protestant Christianity in the Colonies had spread far beyond the singular Congregationalism of the Puritans. There were Baptists and Quakers, Methodists and Moravians and many others. In addition, there were strong Catholic parishes, particularly in Maryland, and some thriving Jewish groups as well.
Among the incredible acts of that early Congress as the appointment of chaplains for itself and the Armed Forces, a sponsored the publication of a Bible when a shortage threatened, scripturally-based rules for those in the military and donation of public lands to develop the Christian faith among Native Americans. They frequently called for national days of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and most importantly, they worked from a worldview that acknowledged God as sovereign and the Scriptures as the ultimate authority.
If you are interested in learning more about the godly faith of our Founders—especially the members of the Continental Congress, our government has a wonderful website that will tell you all about it! That's right—our government! Check out the Library of Congress page on Religion and the Founding of the American Republic HERE.
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| The members of Congress need your prayers, day and night. Remember to pray for them always! |
As a kid who prays we want encourage you not only to appreciate the faith-filled acts of our forefathers, but also to remember to pray for those who lead us today. Here is a terrific prayer you can pray at any time for the members of Congress.
A Prayer for Congress
Almighty God, thank you for our great nation. Thank you for the plan You gave our forefathers by which to govern our nation and for the division of powers so that our destiny does not rest in the hands of one person.
In praying for those in authority, I lift up our Congress, the House and the Senate, and pray that, by Your power, our legislative body will make laws and behave in ways that are just and pleasing to You.
Give them wisdom to make decisions that will strengthen and prosper our nation. Remind them to look to the greater good, and compel them to see to the social welfare and economic security of America. Motivate them to please you, setting aside partisan or personal concerns.
Amen.
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| Portrait of John Quincy Adams courtesy of the National Archives. |
John Quincy Adams was the 6th president of our country. He was a wonderful and godly man who wanted his life to reflect the truth of God's love and His Word. He served our nation in many ways including a stint in Congress. He wrote this prayer as an expression of his desire to serve God faithfully through his time in Congress.
A Congressman's Prayer
by John Quincy Adams
Almighty Father! Look in mercy down:
Oh! Grant me virtue, to perform my part —
The patriot's fervour, and the statesman's art
In thought, word, deed, preserve me from Thy frown.
Direct me to the paths of bright renown
Guide my frail bark, by truth's unerring chart,
Inspire my soul, and purify my heart;
And with success my steadfast purpose crown.
My country's weal — be that my polar star —
Justice, thou Rock of Ages, is thy law —
And when thy summons calls me to thy bar,
Be this my plea, thy gracious smile to draw —
That all my ways to justice were inclin'd —
And all my aims — the blessing of mankind.
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| This painting by Trumbull shows our Founding Fathers at the defining moment when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
The first prayer in Congress is one of those great moments! Aware of their need for guidance from God, the members of Congress called for prayer the very first time they met, and Congress has begun with prayer every day since then!
WHO: The 44 members of the Continental Congress including representatives from every colony except Georgia (it was very far away!) included:
New Hampshire, John Sullivan, Nathaniel Folsom
Massachusetts, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine
Rhode Island, Stephen Hopkins, Samuel Ward
Connecticut, Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, Silas Deane
New York, James Duane, John Jay, Philip Livingston, Isaac Low, William Floyd
New Jersey, James Kinsey, William Livingston, John Hart, Stephen Crane, Richard Smith
Pennsylvania, Joseph Galloway, Samuel Rhodes, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Humphreys, John Morton, Edward Biddle
Delaware, Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, George Read
Maryland, Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase
Virginia, Peyton Randolph, George Washington, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton
South Carolina, Henry Middleton, John Rutledge, Christopher Gadsden, Thomas Lynch, Edward Rutledge.
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This photo shows Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia,
the very first home of the Continental Congress. |
WHERE: Carpenter's Hall in Philadelphia in Pennsylvania colony. Philadelphia was the largest city in the colonies at that time—much larger than New York or Boston—in part because of its religious tolerance. Carpenter's Hall has been owned and operated by the Carpenters' Company of Philadelphia, the oldest trade guild in America, since 1770. It was a public hall like many other buildings of the day, and was available for a variety of uses.
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| John Jay of New York was a good and godly guy, but there certainly was not precedent for the call for prayer at the first gathering of the Continental Congress. Fortunately, his objections were overcome and Rev. Jacob Duché offered a stirring and heartfelt prayer the next morning. Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
WHY: According to John Adams, Mr. Cushing, representing Massachusetts, suggested they open with prayer. Mr. Jay of New York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina expressed concern, because of the great diversity of their Protestant allegiances. As he did so often and with such great success, Mr. Sam Adams spoke us with clarity and conviction. He said that anyone who possessed piety and virtue and love his country would be acceptable to him to lead in prayer. He had heard about Mr. Jacob Duché, an Episcopal clergyman and suggested he be called in to offer prayers the next day.
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What would it feel like to have foreign troops invade
your town and capture members of your community?
Image courtesy of ThePatriot.com. |
WHAT: Gathered just hours after they had heard the news of a great cannon attack on Boston, the 44 representatives respectfully joined in Mr. Duché's reading of the 35th Psalm. Click here to read the 35th Psalm in the New Living Translation.
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| This stained glass window shows another artist's idea about what it looked like that very first day that the Continental Congress met. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
According to the Journals of the Continental Congress the Rev. Mr. Jacob Duché, as soon as he read the Scripture for the day, spoke right up and prayed extemporaneously the following prayer:
Be Thou present O God of Wisdom, and direct the counsel of this Honorable Assembly; enable them to settle all things on the best and surest foundations; that the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that Order, Harmony and Peace may be effectually restored, and that Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety, prevail and flourish among the people. Preserve the health of their bodies, and the vigor of their minds, shower down on them, and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seeth 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."
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| George Washington was known for being a godly, praying man. As Congress gathered for the first time, he and many others joined in prayer, led by Rev. Jacob Duché. |
Aren't you glad the members of the Continental Congress took time to pray before they did anything else? Just think about who was there: Gen. George Washington was kneeling in prayer along with Henry, Randolph, Rutledge, Lee, and Jay, and by their side there stood bowed in reverence, the Puritan Patriots of New England. It was quite a group! For those from Boston, the news of the British attack had just hit, and it was possible that their own homes were under attack at that very moment. They prayed fervently "for America, for Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston," not knowing their fate. John Adams had this to say about the special prayer moment: "It was enough to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the eyes of the old, grave pacific Quakers of Philadelphia."
Though it's sometimes easy to forget, our Bible reminds us in many places that God loves for us to come to Him with our worries and cares, no matter what kind of trouble we may be in. When our Founding Fathers met for prayer during those first days of Congress, that's exactly what they were doing! Can you think of a verse that tells us to bring our worries and concerns right to God?
Hover HERE to read:
QUESTION 1
True or False Even though Congress began with prayer back in 1774, that practice was discontinued long ago because of the importance of the separation of church and state.
- True
- False
QUESTION 2
True or False Back in September 1774, Congress chose to begin their proceedings with prayer, but, with the exception of daily prayers, they have considered very few matters of religious significance since then.
- True
- False
QUESTION 3
Why did the first Congress meet in Philadelphia and not in Washington, D.C.?
- They met in Philadelphia because they believed in the importance of brotherly love.
- They met in Philadelphia because they wanted to use the famous Liberty Bell whenever they had an important proclamation to share.
- Philadelphia was the largest city in the Colonies with the best facilities to offer.
QUESTION 4
When Congress first met and Thomas Cushing called for prayer, why did some members of Congress object to the idea?
- They were concerned that Congress would become too concerned with religious matters.
- They didn't want to bog down their schedule with unnecessary matters that would waste precious time.
- They knew they represented several faith traditions and they wanted to be sensitive to everyone's religious practices.
QUESTION 5
Once the concern about religious diversity had been voiced, who finally spoke up to break the impasse?
- The impasse was broken by Rev. Jacob Duché who spoke up with the offer to pray.
- The impasse was broken when John Jay who offered to lead the whole gathering in prayer.
- Samuel Adams broke the impasse when he reminded everyone that faith and sincerity were the important matters as the gentlemen gather for prayer—not denominational preferences.
QUESTION 6
Why do you think Rev. Duché prayed that "Order, Harmony and Peace may be effectually restored, and that Truth and Justice, Religion and Piety, prevail and flourish among the people?"
- Rev. Duché knew that the men assembled for the First Continental Congress were a very rowdy bunch, and they needed to be settled down.
- The city of Philadelphia had just been attacked and there was concern that the British would take the members of Congress captive.
- The city of Boston had just been attacked and the news had just hit Philadelphia, so everyone was very concerned for their loved ones.
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| President Bush paused to pray with other National Day of Prayer participants during the observance in the East Room of the White House earlier this month. Photo courtesy of the White House. |
Prayer is an opportunity to praise God for His mighty works, His gift of freedom, His mercy, and His boundless love. Through prayer, we recognize the limits of earthly power and acknowledge the sovereignty of God. According to Scripture, "the Lord is near to all who call upon Him . . . He also will hear their cry, and save them." Prayer leads to humility and a grateful heart, and it turns our minds to the needs of others.
--George W. Bush
We hope you are encouraged as you learn of the great, godly interests of our first Congress. They were not ashamed of their faith, nor did they believe that religious faith should be completely left out of government. They integrated it into every part of their lives, just as we should do today. When you think of Congress and pray for its members.
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