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First Prayer in
Congress |
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September 24, 1774 Prayed by Jacob Duche |
"Lord our Heavenly Father,
High and Mighty King of kings, and Lord of lords, who dost
from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and
reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the
Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we
beseech thee, on these our American States, who have fled to
thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on
Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent
on Thee, to Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of
their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that
countenance and support, which Thou alone canst give; take
them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under Thy nurturing care;
give them wisdom in Council and valor in the field; defeat
the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince
them of the unrighteousness of their Cause and if they
persist in their sanguinary purposes, of own unerring
justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop
the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of
battle! Be Thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the
councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle
things on the best and surest foundation.
That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order,
harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and
justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst
Thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of
their minds; shower down on them and the million they here
represent, such temporal blessings as Thou seest 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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