On January 3,2025 we observed the opening ceremony of our newly elected 119th Congress.
As the new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson received the Speakers Gavel and outlined this new Congressional agenda, he concluded his remarks by offering a prayer that Thomas Jefferson offered over America in 1805:
On Monday March 4, 1805, following his second inaugural address, President Thomas Jefferson offered a National Prayer for Peace:
Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage;
We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues.
Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.
In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
—American Quotations Copyright © 1997 by William J. Federer. All rights reserved. Database © 2007 WORDsearch Corp.
Praying for all people and for all those in leadership positions is a Biblical directive for the Christian Church. The prayer Thomas Jefferson offered is an excellent place for us to begin in prayer as the American people are being challenged seemingly from every direction.
President Jefferson’s opening words reveal that He and Other Americans recognized that it was God Almighty who preserved this magnificent Land and gave it to “We the People”. He also indicated that “We the People” were committed to serving the Living God as a unified People seeking and doing the will of God. The second sentence describes the expectation from immigrants to join our civilization in unity as we all strive to serve the living God.
I would encourage every American to embrace Jefferson’s third sentence as we go forward in rebuilding our society:
Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth.
May our God and Father Bless you and your family throughout this coming year, and may God Bless the United States of America.
Dal Sumrell