I Timothy 2:1-6 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

On April 23rd, 1789 President-elect George Washington arrived in New York City in preparation for his inauguration as our nation’s first President under the U.S. Constitution a week later. On that same day, the New York Daily Advertiser published the following announcement:

“On the morning of the day on which our illustrious President will be invested with his office, the bells will ring at nine o’clock, when the people may go up to the house of God and in a solemn manner commit the new government, with its important train of consequences, to the holy protection and blessing of the Most High.”

In 1789, America stood on the brink of history. As the Constitutional-based government was forming, the world was watching their experiment in liberty. After a long-fought battle against the world’s superpower, the new nation had stumbled under the Articles of Confederation.

Much was riding on the outcome, and the subsequent train of consequences demanded an inauguration and a new government that was bathed in prayer. The population recognized the critical need to commit their leaders, their government, and their nation to the holy protection and blessings of the Most High.

We should consider this year no less important. We stand on the brink of history and the world is watching to determine whether this continued experiment in liberty will survive. We have recently stumbled, and much rides on the success of our way forward. The subsequent train of consequences demands that every day be bathed in prayer. We must recognize the critical need to commit our leaders, our government and our nation to the holy protection and blessing of the Most High.

PLEASE BATHE OUR LEADERS, OUR GOVERNMENT, AND OUR NATION IN DAILY PRAYER. An important train of consequences follows each decision, and our solemn prayers stand as the preeminent thing that can truly make a difference.