National Healing

     There is a scripture in the book of Chronicles which has been on my mind lately. The Lord is speaking to Solomon and says, "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." ( 2 Chronicles 7: 14 KJV)

     George Washington must have been familiar with this scripture.  He often called for times of prayer, fasting, the keeping of the Sabbath Day holy, and repentance with his troops. The commander taught without Divine intervention liberty would not prevail.

     Washington called for a national day of fast to be held on May 17, 1776. The next year he issued   the following directive:
     All the troops... except the guards, are to attend Divine Worship tomorrow morning during the second bell; the officers commanding corps, are to take especial care, that their men appear clean, decent and that they are to march in proper order to the place of worship...The honorable Congress having recommended it to the United States to set apart the 6th of May next to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, to acknowledge the gracious interpositions of Providence; to depreciate deserved punishment for our sins and ingratitude, to unitedly implore the protection of Heaven...the Commander-in-Chief enjoins a religious observance of said day and directs the Chaplains to prepare discourses proper for the occasions." 

George Washington, Headquarters, April 12, 1777

    

     If attention to Divine Worship, humility, and prayer was needed in 1777, it is surely needed now. May God bless us as we seek Him and may our land be healed. 

                                                                               Reference

Shea, M., A. (2012). In God We Trust: George Washington and the spiritual destiny of the United   States of America. Derry, NH: Liberty Quest.