Washington's Prayer for the Nation

Today the United States is celebrating Independence Day. Today the Declaration of Independence was ratified declaring we are free from the tyranny of British rule. While we do honor those who have fought for freedom, today is more about honoring the Declaration itself and the framers. In honor of Independence Day, I offer George Washington's Prayer for the Nation

"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt 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 wilt 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 supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." -George Washington June 8th, 1738

On this day when we Americans celebrate our freedom from tyranny may we remember as Washington did without humble imitation of Jesus Christ we are not to be a happy nation.