In God We Trust

The Liberty Window, Christ Church of Philadelphia

Oh Lord, heavenly Father, high and mighty King of kings and Lord of lords, who dolt from thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the kingdoms, empires and governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these America States who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves on thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent on only thee; to thee they have appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to thee do they now look up for that countenance and support that only thou alone canst give; take them, therefore, heavenly Father, under thy nurturing care; give them wisdom in council; and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause, and if they still persist in their sangiunary purposes, oh, let the voice of thine own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!

Be thou present, O God of wisdom and direct the councils of this honorable assembly: enable them to settle things of the best and surest foundation, that the scene of blood may be speedily closed, that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst thy people. Preserve the health of their bodies and the vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessing thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come.

All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Saviour.
Amen

Reverend Jacob Duche

Rector of Christ Church Philadelphia, Pennyslvania

September 7, 1774

First prayer of the Continental Congress, 1774