A Prayer of the First Order

 

In previous posts, I have argued that words matter. Attitudes are important. Intent and action need to be in harmony. 

Today, we have inaugurated the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as our Vice-President.

Over the years, I have often disagreed with (then) Senator/Vice-President Biden. In fact, many years ago, I wrote a number of blog posts about what I felt to be his shortcomings in the offices he held. I know I will disagree with him again. 

Today, that is in the past. Today, if my intentions, my words, my attitude and my actions are to be in harmony with each other then I must find myself doing nothing but encouraging President Biden to be the leader and President that we need. 

Indeed, I usually find myself going back to "foundational" thoughts of our nation as a means of refreshing my thinking, drawing closer to the original intent of those who envisioned a nation like the United States and to better understand how we have come to the point in history where we find ourselves. 

I have long been associated with a non-profit, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, which focuses on civics education and the twin concepts of the Bill of Rights being balanced by a "Bill of Responsibilities."  This will take you there Bill of Responsibilities Link It is very near where George Washington and Continental Army encamped during the winter of 1777 - a point where the soldiers were ready to go home and leave the cause of fighting the British because of the deprivations they were experiencing. It is a story that needs to be told again and again because the soldiers had every right to leave and go home. They chose to stay. We have rights - we have choices within those rights - it is worth remembering that while we may have a right, we have the choice to enforce it or not. The Soldiers of Valley Forge chose not to enforce their right on behalf of future generations. Refresh yourself with a quick read of Valley Forge.

The sculpture, pictured above, of Washington at Prayer, is on the campus of FFVF - a beautiful place. The following prayer, written by General Washington, is a foundational reminder of how previous generations of leaders looked to God to in relation to our nation, to their role and to each other. We must never assume that America is a forever place, but, rather, that we might be a land which finds favor in the eyes of the Almighty because we try to put our intent into deed for the betterment of all. Do we fail? Absolutely. But it does not mean we stop trying to get our nation right. I believe Washington's Prayer is appropriate on days like this. I hope you agree. Amen.

"I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field, and finally, that he 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 mind, which were the Characteristicks of the Devine 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.  Amen"

Prayer adapted from Washington’s Circular Letter to the States, which he wrote on June 8, 1783 as the commander in chief, at his headquarters in Newburgh, New York. This circular was directed to the governors and states of the new nation. His reference to them has been replaced by the words “the United States.” Otherwise, the words and the spellings are those of General George Washington of the Continental Army.