The summer of 1783 marked the end of the Revolutionary War. America had won the War for Independence and the peace treaty with England was soon to be signed. There was considerable uncertainty about the future of this newly formed nation, as states were hesitant to yield to federal authority. George Washington (1732-1799) wrote a final letter as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. His “Circular Letter to the States,” sent to the thirteen governors of the American colonies, outlined four necessities for the survival of the United States: the importance of a strong federal government, paying off the national debt incurred by the war, maintaining a trained militia and setting aside differences to achieve national unity. He closed the letter with a remarkable prayer that follows here. I hesitate to mention that it’s prayed aloud daily at a public wreath-laying ceremony at Washington’s former Mount Vernon estate. If word gets out, someone will surely try to shut it down. There is considerable debate among historians about the religious proclivities of America’s first president. Was he a Diest or a devout Christian? While the final determination is left to God, there are considerable indications to his Christian predilections. He served as a vestryman (spiritual leader) in several DC area Anglican churches. His nephew recalled him kneeling for morning and evening prayer. His “Daily Sacrifice” Journal of prayers express a vital prayer life as do his letters, like the one mentioned above. I’m trying to imagine a sitting president in our day writing such a prayer. Don’t hold your breath!
George Washington
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State in over which you preside, 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 characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.