Washington's Inauguration

As we enter a new year and inaugurate America's president, it is a pertinent exercise to review the words and actions of our Founding Fathers.

The conclusion of President George Washington's inauguration speech provides a glimpse into his heart as he prayed the following words: "Almighty God, we make our earest 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 brothery 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, and 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."

Might it be a worthy exercise for the modern-day believer to join withh our first president to pray similarly?  George Washington and the people of the newly minted United States of America understood the need for protection during war, famine, and difficult winters.  Even as our lives are much more comfortable today, let us join our Founding Fathers by remembering that we depend on God for food, shelter, and safety.

Secondly, a "spirit of subordination and obedience to government" is essential.  Today, our first inclination may be to pray the exact opposite.  During the early days of the United States, the colonists struggled for unity over what was best for the country.  A lack of agreement was as commonplace then as it is now.  A call to pray for unity is just as urgent in this generation as it was in the 18th century.

PresidentWashngton also prayed for a "brotherly affection and love for each other."  This petition could not be more imperative than it is now.  We live in a day of bitter political rivalry and partisanship.  Our founding president prayed that we would not only love each other, which can be a rational choice, but also have affection for each other, which is a choice of the heart.

President Washington then circled back to the work of our hands as he requested that God would "cause us to do acts of justice and mercy." The words of Micah 6:8 run through our heads as we read this phrase.  If God has done anything through this country, it is to have answered this prayer.  We have been the defenders of justice for the life of our nation, and we have become known as a nation that brings mercy to those who need it.

Our first president knew that our heart attitudes are most critical.  Only the finest attitudes are rooted in the character of God, and George Washinton was aware of this when he asked for the disposition of "charity, humility and a pacific temper."  Charity, the disposition of providing for others first; humility, the disposition of preferring others first; and patience, the disposition of a pacific temper.

Our first president asked that all of this would be granted "through Jesus Christ our Lord."  Notice that the reference to Jesus Christ is not just religious lip service, (used too often), but in the first inauguration, George Washington recognized that it was through Jesus Christ that prayers are answered.  Jesus was His given name, and "Christ" was the descriptor of His role as our Savior and Lord.

Christ's place over our nation and all of creation is profound. During this month of inauguration, please join me in praying as our first president prayed.
   (David Kubat, Intercessors for America, Jan. 2013, www.IFAPray.org)