A prayer from Senate Chaplain Peter Marshall is as earnest today as when it was first offered, 65 years ago in 1947.
“Lord, Thou wilt still be here after this prayer is said, and we would have it so, for we know deep down in our hearts that without Thy help we can do nothing abiding. Without Thee we shall discuss more and more and settle less and less. Unite, we pray Thee, the leaders of our nation behind the right way to achieve a just and lasting peace in our land and in all the world, that we may win it together, lest we lose it apart.” (“The Senate Prayers of Peter Marshall,” p. 57)
How that applies today! “Thou wilt still be here after this prayer is said.” Do we citizens and leaders see ourselves as creatures of a day? “Without Thy help we can do nothing abiding.” Are today’s politics building a better tomorrow? Vain glory will accomplish nothing lasting. “Unite the leaders of our nation…that we may win (peace) together, lest we lose it apart.” Are leaders hearing, are citizens praying…prayers for unity? God, persuader of hearts, who sees us so divided, move us together, not by pandering to voters but in awed reverence before You our Judge.
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