Tag Archives: George Washington

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; – Take the Time

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In 1789, George Washington delivered the “Thanksgiving Proclamation.” In addition to giving thanks, the day was set aside “that we may unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions.” Washington was a national leader who understood the power of prayer. Perhaps this was because of another leader who passionately interceded for his people.

I lay prostrate before the Lord these forty days and forty nights because the Lord had said he would destroy you.

Deuteronomy 9:25

In Deuteronomy 9, the Israelites were about to cross the Jordan to fight for their promised land. Moses’ speech encouraged them that God would fight on their behalf, but also reminded them of how he interceded with God when they had sinned against Him. He stood in-between God and the Israelites to plead their case and defend them.

Moses was a leader who interceded regularly for others – and God listened. His prayers made a difference for the Israelites. When was the last time you truly interceded with God for someone or for the nation? Today, take the time, as much as is needed, to earnestly pray…and if you don’t know where or how to start, ask God for help (Romans 8:26).

Recommended Reading: I Timothy 2:1-8

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – A home mission sermon

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“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Suggested Further Reading: Luke 22:24-27

George Washington, the commander-in-chief, was going around among his soldiers. They were hard at work, lifting a heavy piece of timber at some fortification. There stood the corporal of the regiment calling out to his men, “Heave there, heave ahoy!” and giving them all kinds of directions. As large as possible the good corporal was. So Washington, alighting from his horse, said to him, “What is the good of your calling out to those men, why don’t you help them yourself and do part of the work.” The corporal drew himself up and said, “Perhaps you are not aware to whom you are speaking, sir; I am a corporal.” “I beg your pardon,” said Washington; “you are a corporal are you; I am sorry I should have insulted you.” So he took off his own coat and waistcoat and set to work to help the men build the fortification. When he had done he said, “Mr Corporal, I am sorry I insulted you, but when you have any more fortifications to get up, and your men won’t help you, send for George Washington, the commander-in-chief, and I will come and help them.” The corporal slunk away perfectly ashamed of himself. And so Christ Jesus might say to us, “Oh, you don’t like teaching the poor; it is beneath your dignity; then let your commander-in-chief do it; he can teach the poor, he can wash the feet of the saints, he can visit the sick and afflicted—he came down from heaven to do this, and he will set you the example.” Surely we should each be ashamed of ourselves, and declare from this time forward whatever it is, be it great or little, if it comes to our hand, and if God will but give us help and give us grace, we will do it with all our might.

For meditation: Our Master knew how to be humble (Philippians 2:6-9); he also knows how to deal with people who are proud or humble (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Sermon no. 259

26 June (1859)

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Stirred-Up Soldier

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Would you call this person an American hero? When the Revolutionary War began, he was not drafted, so he volunteered to fight and refused pay. He was wounded in battle at Brandywine but quickly recovered and joined General George Washington at Valley Forge where he suffered with other troops tormented by starvation, disease, exposure and malnutrition. Then he continued on to win many more battles. This man was praised by Founding Father Samuel Adams, who said that “in foregoing the pleasures of enjoyment of domestic life and exposing himself to the hardship and dangers of war, he fought in the glorious cause of freedom.”

The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia.

Ezra 1:1

But you would not call this person an American hero…because he was not an American. Marquis de Lafayette was a Frenchman who loved America.

Cyrus King of Persia was not a Jew, but God “stirred up” his spirit to help the Jews. An unlikely advocate for a forgotten and defeated people, Cyrus brought the Jews out of exile so that they could return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Be thankful that God raises leaders up to help others – be they individuals or nations – in need. Perhaps He is “stirring” you to go beyond the call of duty today!

Recommended Reading: Acts 20:17-24

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Choices

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George Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable.” The United States has a rich history of leaders yielded to God – and citizens have reaped the benefits. “Making choices is like buying tickets to future events,” Abraham Lincoln said. “The best way to predict your future is to create it.”

Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Ruth 1:16

Ruth of the Bible had a choice. She and her sister-in-law were following Naomi when Naomi told them to return to their families. Orpah chose to go back, but Ruth insisted on staying with Nomi. Ruth’s decision led to a blessed life in God and to the honor of being in Christ’s lineage.

Be thankful for past leaders (governmental and religious) and the rich heritage which God has used to make America a great nation. Pray that God will have His way in the lives of newly-elected leaders and that their decisions will make a better life for the next generations. Then ask the Lord to guide you to make choices that will have benefits for you and those around you.

Recommended Reading: Joshua 24:14-24

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W. – A Grateful Heart

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George Washington knew the importance of being grateful to God for His blessings. He once said, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice.

Luke 17:15

Unfortunately, gratefulness is not high on many people’s priority list. Luke tells a story about ingratitude. As Jesus was traveling between Samaria and Galilee, He encountered ten men with leprosy. They called to Jesus to have mercy and heal them. Jesus granted their request and told them to go show themselves to the priest. On the way, the men realized they had been made whole, but only one man came back to thank Jesus.

While America receives great mercy from God every day, few citizens and leaders return thanks and show gratefulness to Him. Many take His blessings for granted. Are you sending up grateful prayers today? As you do, pray also for the nation’s leaders to cultivate a heart of thankfulness and lead by example.

Recommended Reading: Romans 1:16-25

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; G.C. – Prepare

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Do you believe you are living in the last days of human history? Many do, loudly heralding the nightly news as proof of the beginning of tribulations and the imminent return of Christ to Earth. What can you do to manage the precarious days in which we live?

Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Joshua 3:5

After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the nation of Israel was on the brink of entering a new land and a new era in their history. On the eve of their procession, Joshua told them to consecrate themselves in preparation to receive God’s provision. The word “consecrate” means to separate oneself from anything that would hinder a good relationship with God. America’s first president followed that example. After taking the oath of office, George Washington walked directly to St. Paul‘s Chapel to kneel before God, dedicating his service and America’s future.

General George S. Patton said, “Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable.” Today, prepare for whatever lies ahead – first with thanksgiving for God’s past blessings, and then in humble dedication to God’s provision for the future.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 77:1-3, 11-15

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – A home mission sermon

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“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” Ecclesiastes 9:10

Suggested Further Reading: Luke 22:24-27

George Washington, the commander-in-chief, was going around among his soldiers. They were hard at work, lifting a heavy piece of timber at some fortification. There stood the corporal of the regiment calling out to his men, “Heave there, heave ahoy!” and giving them all kinds of directions. As large as possible the good corporal was. So Washington, alighting from his horse, said to him, “What is the good of your calling out to those men, why don’t you help them yourself and do part of the work.” The corporal drew himself up and said, “Perhaps you are not aware to whom you are speaking, sir; I am a corporal.” “I beg your pardon,” said Washington; “you are a corporal are you; I am sorry I should have insulted you.” So he took off his own coat and waistcoat and set to work to help the men build the fortification. When he had done he said, “Mr Corporal, I am sorry I insulted you, but when you have any more fortifications to get up, and your men won’t help you, send for George Washington, the commander-in-chief, and I will come and help them.” The corporal slunk away perfectly ashamed of himself. And so Christ Jesus might say to us, “Oh, you don’t like teaching the poor; it is beneath your dignity; then let your commander-in-chief do it; he can teach the poor, he can wash the feet of the saints, he can visit the sick and afflicted—he came down from heaven to do this, and he will set you the example.” Surely we should each be ashamed of ourselves, and declare from this time forward whatever it is, be it great or little, if it comes to our hand, and if God will but give us help and give us grace, we will do it with all our might.

For meditation: Our Master knew how to be humble (Philippians 2:6-9); he also knows how to deal with people who are proud or humble (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Sermon no. 259

26 June (1859)

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Unwarranted Wrath

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You probably think of George Washington as calm, steady and unflappable, even in his most desperate of times. In truth, the first president had a terrible temper and when under stress, according to one of his contemporaries, his face became “dark and lowering” and he was “most tremendous in his wrath.” Thomas Jefferson even once provided a firsthand account of an enraged Washington throwing his hat on the floor and stomping on it.

Gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Acts 6:15

Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity, was quite a contrast to that. Falsely accused and facing imminent death, his countenance conveyed an unearthly peace – like the “face of an angel.” Filled with the Holy Spirit, he was willing to accept any consequence for his testimony about Jesus.

There may be moments when a little “righteous indignation” is called for, but much more often, you will do damage when you become “most tremendous” in your wrath. Today, ask God to give you the wisdom and discipline to respond appropriately to whatever, or whoever, is making your life difficult today. And may He grant the same to President Obama and America’s leaders.

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 29:9-14

The National Day of Prayer is quickly approaching. ONLY 3 DAYS AWAY. On May 1st, we will set aside a day for Americans to once again ask for God’s involvement in our country, its leaders and our military.

 

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.R. – Disciplined and Decent

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George Washington’s father died before the future president was a teenager, and because many of the family responsibilities fell upon young George, there was little time or money for a formal education. Washington learned social graces from a guidebook entitled The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, and some of its maxims sound almost comical to the modern ear. “Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big for the jowls,” says one directive. Another says “Bedew no man’s face with your spittle by approaching too near him when you speak.”

It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:11

Even without a father, Washington learned the importance of discipline – from his mother, from mentors and, yes, from books. And the greatest guidebook, the Bible, notes that Godly discipline “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Today’s society, from Hollywood to the District of Columbia, is characterized by a lack of restraint…and the fruit of permissiveness will be bitter.

As you pray for the restoration of American and her leaders today, ask God to make you a shining example of a spiritually disciplined and decent follower of Christ.

Recommended Reading: I Corinthians 9:19-27