Trembling for my country

Wisdom from founding fathers

George Washington’s Prayer for the United States: “Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

“And finally that Thou wilt 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 without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.

“Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

George Washington’s final words to his troops at the end of war of our Independence were: “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.”

John Adams, America’s second president, said “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Thomas Jefferson, America’s third president, said “God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?

“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free.

“Establish the law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.”

To quote our third President is a great honor and I express gratitude for his brilliant choice of words. In my 91 years as an American, I am trembling for my country with our threats without and our decay within.

May our readers today join me in effort and prayer to be a leading part of our beloved nations healing. May each of us seek and yield to the Lord that is responsible for our freedom, prosperity, benevolence, peace, protection and hope! Our only salvation lies in the God who created the hearts of our first three presidents.

H.D. McCarty pastored one of Fayetteville’s largest churches for 39 years, served as the volunteer chaplain of the Razorbacks for 30 years and is a retired pilot and Air Force chaplain. Email him at hdm@ venturesforchrist.com.