In September of 1774, the British had made it clear that they would use force if necessary to put down dissent against English rule over the colonies. There was a rumor in Philadelphia that they had planned for an incursion in and around Boston. Delegates from the colonies were meeting and knew that their homes and families were in harm’s way. At the meeting Anglican minister Jacob Duche knew that David’s Prayer in Psalm 35 was part of the church reading for the day. He read it before the delegates that included George Washington, John Adams, and Patrick Henry. Duche read: "O Lord, fight against them that fight against me. ... Say to my soul, ‘I [God] am your salvation.’
When he finished reading Duche added spontaneously: "Be Thou present O God of Wisdom and direct the counsel of this honorable Assembly. … May religion (Christianity) and piety prevail and flourish among the people."
Adams wrote in his diary, that the prayer and the emotions that erupted were "as permanent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I have ever heard offered up to Heaven." Samuel Ward of Rhode Island called it, "One of the most sublime, all-encompassing, well adapted prayers I have ever heard."
The prayers going forth from these great and Godly men were leading the way for the ultimate freedom of the colonies!
But can a good apple turn into bad fruit? Yes, it can. Duche had become one of the first chaplains of the Continental Congress. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776, in that fall Duche astounded his church by resigning his position as chaplain. Without explanation he turned against the Revolution because he felt the colonies did not have a chance against the British. He put thousands of Revolutionary troops at risk be sharing with the British General William Howe much military intelligence about revolutionary troop movements. Duche wrote to George Washington that he should immediately surrender to the English forces. The Congressional delegates were incredulous and called him a "Judas," "fop," and other unkind descriptions.
But the nation would survive the timidity and weakness of such men. It would go on to victory on the prayerful pleas of the vast majority in the new nation who were convinced that it was the Lord of the Bible who was setting them free!
When he finished reading Duche added spontaneously: "Be Thou present O God of Wisdom and direct the counsel of this honorable Assembly. … May religion (Christianity) and piety prevail and flourish among the people."
Adams wrote in his diary, that the prayer and the emotions that erupted were "as permanent, as affectionate, as sublime, as devout, as I have ever heard offered up to Heaven." Samuel Ward of Rhode Island called it, "One of the most sublime, all-encompassing, well adapted prayers I have ever heard."
The prayers going forth from these great and Godly men were leading the way for the ultimate freedom of the colonies!
But can a good apple turn into bad fruit? Yes, it can. Duche had become one of the first chaplains of the Continental Congress. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 9, 1776, in that fall Duche astounded his church by resigning his position as chaplain. Without explanation he turned against the Revolution because he felt the colonies did not have a chance against the British. He put thousands of Revolutionary troops at risk be sharing with the British General William Howe much military intelligence about revolutionary troop movements. Duche wrote to George Washington that he should immediately surrender to the English forces. The Congressional delegates were incredulous and called him a "Judas," "fop," and other unkind descriptions.
But the nation would survive the timidity and weakness of such men. It would go on to victory on the prayerful pleas of the vast majority in the new nation who were convinced that it was the Lord of the Bible who was setting them free!
