George Washington’s Prayer for His Country
On this Veterans Day, we would like to humbly thank all the men and women of the armed forces who so bravely and selflessly serve this great nation. We thought it fitting to post George Washington’s prayer for his country that was directed to the governors and states of the new nation. Huzzah!
George Washington’s Prayer for His Country
I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have the United States in his holy protection, that he would include 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 Unites States at large, particularly for their brethren who have served in the field, and finally, that he would most graciously be please 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 His reference to them has been replaced by the words “the United States.”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.
*Pictures featured in this post are from an a Veterans Day commemorative wreathlaying ceremony at Mount Vernon featuring Army representatives from Fort Belvoir.
Jennifer McCreery
Tags: circular letter to the states, George Washington, prayer, veterans
