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Pray for Christians around the world, particularly those persecuted or harassed.

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Reflections

Presidents’ Month

In my elementary school days in a one room school house, February was considered “Presidents’ Month.” It was the time we honored the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln by posting silhouetted profiles of each of them on the classroom walls.

As this is a presidential election year in our country, I thought it might be good to once again devote this month to recalling past leaders, and particularly to revisit their presidential prayers.

Below is a copy of “Washington’s Prayer for the Nation” as printed in the 1941 edition of Song and Service Book for Ship and Field, a manual for Army and Navy Chaplains (A. S. Barnes and Company, New York, 1941).This prayer was written shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War:

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou will keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large;

And finally, that Thou will 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 mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.

Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Written at Newburg, June 8, 1783, and sent to the Governors of all States.)

Similar versions of this prayer may be found on the internet with later dates. As you read the prayer, carefully note the petitions that are still relevant to our nation in the Twenty-first Century:

• the need for divine protection
• the need for civil obedience
• the need for charity among citizens
• the need to follow Christ’s example

Note also that Washington concluded that our hope for happiness depended upon citizens following Christ’s example.

When I hear politicians, newscasters and other public figures decrying the state of our nation, my heart joins with our first president’s and I cry out for divine protection.

When I read of political corruption and all manners of civil disobedience, I pray that a new awareness will come to both leaders and ordinary citizens that with rights come responsibilities.

When I hear of domestic instability, I pray that another Great Awakening will come to individuals so the love of Christ will be renewed in hearts and shown to fellow human beings.

Please join me in making Washington’s earnest prayer our prayer for our nation today. Remember this promise of God’s Word:

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16, NIV).

Points to Ponder:

If this prayer is answered, where will we first see evidence of change?

What responsibility does the Church have to the political arena?

PEGGY MUSGROVE is a licensed Assemblies of God minister. She is also a speaker, freelance writer, author and prayer group leader. Her latest book, Musings of a Maraschino Cherry was released in 2004.. You can visit her at www.musgroveville.com.

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