Prayer and the Constitution

        Eleven years had lapsed since a brave and courageous band of men signed the Declaration of Independence with a “firm reliance on the protection of Divine providence.” It was now time to forge a document by which the emerging nation should be governed. 

        This delegation of 55 members met in the same State House Chamber in Philadelphia in which the Second Continental Congress met to sign the Declaration of Independence.

        Throughout the war with England the Continental Congress prayed often, individually and publicly, acknowledging their dependence on God, but members of the Constitutional Convention had not. 

        The Constitutional Convention was contentious and divided during their first five weeks. The northern states insisted the number representing each state should be based solely on the number of residents in each state. The southern agricultural states insisted it be based on the number of cultivated acres. 

        It appeared the contention within the body would result in irreconcilable division with one state even threatening to identify with a different nation. There was a threat that the military should be engaged to keep the body from self-disrupting. 

        George Washington, who presided at the convention, realized he needed another miracle to hold the body together and the forging of a constitution by which they should be governed.

        The eighty-one year old Benjamin Franklin, like Washington, had rarely engaged in the debates. Nevertheless, he gained the floor and addressed the assembly. In part he said, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid.”

        He then proposed they have a clergy come in and lead the body in prayer. Comments were made regarding the idea. Today critics are quick to note Franklin’s proposal was never even voted on, much less approved. They fail to explain what happened and why. In the following debate it was suggested that a minister be brought in and the body have prayer. Alexander Hamilton noted this was something that should have been done much earlier and if at this late date clergy was brought in the public would conclude conditions were dire, if not impossible. Hugh Williamson of North Carolina noted they did not have funds with which to engage a clergy earlier. Thus, the idea failed.

        Edmond Randolph proposed a sermon be preached at the behest of the delegates on July 4, the date said to be the date of the signing of the Declamation of Independence. Such was done at Christ Church in Philadelphia with Reverend William White preaching a message centered on trusting God for wisdom.

        The Constitutional Convention went back to work with a conciliatory spirit and on September 17, 1787 the final vote was taken and the Constitution approved.

        On April 9, 1789 the Constitutional Congress met for the first time. The spirit of Franklin was enacted as the first item on the agenda was the appointment of two chaplains, one for the House and one for the Senate, both salaried by funds from the national treasury.

        Prayer gave birth to America. Prayer is needed to sustain America.