This is the first post by Scott Bennion, our new Minister of Pastoral Care and Discipleship. He’ll be posting here from time to time.

“O Lord Our God, most mighty and merciful Father, …Preserve and defend our rulers in church and state. Bless the people of this land, be a father to the fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives, and a physician to the sick. Let thy blessings be on our friends, kindred, and families. Be our Guide this day and forever…”
General George Washington’s
1752 Prayer Journal

For those of you that don’t know I am a chaplain with the Boy Scouts of America. Earlier this month on May 5th I had the opportunity to go down town and participate in the National Day of Prayer. What a privilege it was and is to pray for those who lead us in our nation, state, and local governments. The following is a little of the history of the National Day of Prayer found at their website.

The National Day of Prayer was established as an annual event in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The observance of the National Day of Prayer is founded on the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of religion and can be celebrated by all Americans. The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture.

This month’s event marked the 60th Annual National Day of Prayer. It is estimated that millions united in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. The theme was “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”
The custom of offering prayers for civil rulers is one of the most ancient traditions of Christian worship.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly an dignified in every way. “– 1 Tim. 2:1-2
In the early centuries of persecution of Christianity such intercessions were in essence prayers for peace and in particular peace for the Church.

Our country’s leaders are best equipped to lead us when they recognize their limited sovereignty in contrast to the universal rule of God. It is for this reason that, as Anglicans, we pray for our leaders. We pray that they would be humble and seek the counsel of Almighty God. We also pray that we would remember whose authority they hold and as such that we would be faithful in following them.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. – 1 Pet. 2:11-13

What follows are prayers from An Anglican Prayer Book and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer respectively. These prayers are adaptations of the Prayer for the King introduced in the 1549 Book of Common Prayer.

A Prayer for all in Civil Authority
LORD God, our Governor, whose glory is in all the world; we commend this nation to your merciful care, that being guided by our providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness; and make them always mindful of their calling to serve this nation and people in reverence before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

A Prayer for The President of the United States, and all in Civil Authority.
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are, may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that we and all the People, duly considering whose authority they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them, according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.

Let us make time in our lives for this important discipline of praying for our leaders. Thanks be to God for the gift of prayer.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” – Psalm 91:2
Under HIS Grace,
Pastor Scott