We Must Not Forget
The freedom and prosperity we enjoy in America are the consequences of the founders’ self-conscious acknowledgement of God. One such leader of America was raised in a Godly home. As a result of this training, he came to a living faith in the Divine Savior. Throughout his life, whether as a young man, an officer in the army, or a statesman, he could be found on his knees in front of a chair, a candle on the stand nearby, praying before an open Bible. He also rose early at four o’clock each morning and he faithfully conducted himself in his devotional life.
He attended church regularly every Sunday. Sometimes this meant riding ten or more miles on a horse. When someone would visit Congress and ask who he was, they would reply, “He is the man on his knees when the Congress goes to prayer.” To his men that followed him, he was both commander and chaplain.
He issued this order: “As observance of articles of war, which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness.” And in like manner he required and expected of all officers and soldiers to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense. He stated that we cannot expect the blessings of Heaven upon our army if we offend the God of Heaven by our conduct.
Each morning and each night he would retire for prayers. When he couldn’t get away from other people, he would go out into the woods. When he was inducted into office, and finished being sworn in, he bent down and reverently kissed the Bible. His religion became him. He brought it with him into office, and he did not lose it there. He was indeed a man who walked humbly with his God. He carried that same constancy to the end when he came to his final day upon this earth.
As President of the United States, as commander in chief of our armies, he made time for God in prayer and to be in His Word. Each day, because of men like George Washington, the Christian beginnings of this nation and the days that stand before us, to whatever may lay ahead for our nation in the days to come, may we as Americans return and remain faithful to what our Godly founders have given us as a Christian foundation of prayer and reliance on the true and living God of the Bible.