This prayer by George Washington is one to pray for yourself and to teach to your children.
“O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul….
Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.”
–An undated prayer from Washington’s prayer journal, Mount Vernon
9 thoughts on “The sweet promise of the gospel: A President’s prayer for guidance”
Amen!
Very Powerful Prayer!
wait I thought he wasn’t a Christian? (sarcasim)
Episcopalian was his religion on record
The so-called “Washington’s Prayer Journal” is not accepted as being Washington’s by the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress or other Washington paper projects or any other source that has analyzed it. It is not in Washington’s handwriting, there is no evidence that it was his, and its contents contradict everything Washington wrote in more than 20,000 pages of his actual writings — including personal correspondence. It was passed down in the Washington family, but we do not know who wrote it or its origin. Washington never mentioned Jesus; go to
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/mgwquery.html and search for “Jesus” and see for yourself.
I only approved this comment so that I could respond to it in context. For those who doubt Washington’s faith, I would direct them to Peter LIllback’s number 1 national bestseller, Sacred Fire. This book is a scholarly, meticulously researched volume of over 1,000 pages. The book answers the objections like the one mentioned in this comment. Here is an example from page 33: In responding to a request from Delaware Indian chiefs about to teach their young ones, Washington replied, they would do well to learn our way of life and arts, “but above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.” Sacred Fire does the church a great service with its scholarship and depth of content. If interested you can purchase the book at Amazon or other quality bookseller.
He was very much a Christian.
George Washington
JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS;
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY;
PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION;
FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; “FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY”
You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above
all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and
happier people than you are.121
While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and
soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties
of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our
highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.122
The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but
especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes
and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as
becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties
of his country.123
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would… most graciously be
pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean
ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind
which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed
religion.124
121. George Washington, The Writings of Washington,
John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office,
1932), Vol. XV, p. 55, from his speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs on
May 12, 1779. (Return)
122. George Washington, The Writings of Washington,
John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office,
1932), Vol. XI, pp. 342-343, General Orders of May 2, 1778. (Return)
123. George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1932), Vol. 5, p. 245, July 9, 1776 Order. (Return)
124. George Washington, The Last Official Address of His Excellency George Washington to the Legislature of the United States (Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, 1783), p. 12; see also The New Annual Register or General Repository of History, Politics, and Literature, for the Year 1783 (London: G. Robinson, 1784), p. 150. (Return)
The reason I was not going to post your comment has nothing to do with whether or not I agreed with what you said. Lillback’s credentials are impeccable. He has severed as President of Westminster Seminary. In my opinion his research is detailed and thorough. I understand that you have a different opinion. You imply his work lacks integrity and is not as scholarly as yours. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. However, I believe that there is at least room to graciously respect those whose opinions differ from our own. I believe that Lillback’s voice is one that should be heard in this discussion. You have alerted folks to your own work. I am sure that those who are interested will be able consider your voice as well.
Beautiful prayer Jay!