Bless This Nation

O Lord, our Heavenly Father, I and mighty King of kings, and Lord of the lords, who dost from your throne, behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest in the power supreme and uncontrolled over all Kingdoms, Empires, and governments; look down your mercy, we beseech Thee, on these are American states, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on your gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only 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 your nurturing care; give them wisdom and 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, O, let thy the voice of Thy own on 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 effectively restored, and truth and justice, religion, piety, prevail, and flourish among the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions 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, Your Son and our Savior. Amen – Reverend Jacob Duche (1737-1798), Rector of Christ Church of Philadelphia, First prayer of the Continental Congress, 1774