APPENDIX THREE
George Washington’s Written Prayers
One of the elements of the Christian faith that was suspect, and eventually abandoned by Deism, was the practice of prayer. This was logical since there was little purpose in speaking to a Deity who on principle had abandoned all contact and communication with his creation.
Given this understanding, Washington’s lifelong practice of prayer, illustrated by these more than one hundred written prayers, is an undeniable refutation of his alleged Deism. While not all of these prayers were composed by Washington (though most were), that he used them is indisputable, as they are taken directly from his public and private writings. We have organized them by topic for convenience. The sheer magnitude of the number of prayers, coupled with the expansive topics included in his prayers, give substantial credence to the universal testimony of Washington’s contemporaries of his practice of corporate and private prayer
This underscores how misplaced contemporary scholars have been in claiming that Washington was a man of lukewarm religious faith.
All the cited prayers can are from the Writings of George Washington edited by John C. Fitzpatrick and found online at http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/washington/fitzpatrick/
1. His Order for a Custom Made Prayer Book
1.1 INVOICE OF GOODS TO BE SHIPD BY ROBERT CARY & CO. FOR THE USE OF GEO. WASHINGTON, POTOMACK RIVER, VIRGINIA, VIZ.
July 18, 1771. A Prayr. Book with the new Version of Psalms and good plain type, covd. with red Moroco., to be 7 Inchs. long 4? wide, and as thin as possible for the greatr. ease of caryg. in the Pocket.
2. His Culture – Prayer and Fasting
2.1 DIARY: June 1, 1774. Went to Church and fasted all day.” [This was in keeping with the burgesses’ vote to fast in support of Massachusetts when the Boston Port bill began.] [Thomas Jefferson wrote:] The day of fasting was observed throughout the colony. The people met generally with anxiety and alarm in their countenances, and the effect of the day, through the whole colony, was like a shock of electricity, arousing every man, and placing him erect and solidly on his center. (See Jefferson’s Works, vol. I, p. 7.) [Moncure D. Conway noted] The fast was obeyed throughout Virginia with such rigor and scruples, as to interdict the tasting of food between the rising and setting sun. With the remembrance of the King [Minis try?], horror was associated; in churches, as well as in the circles of social conversation, he seemed to stalk like the arch-enemy of mankind. [See Moncure D. Conway’s Biography of Edmund Randolph. Note in WGW.]
2.2 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775. The Continental Congress having earnestly recommended, that “Thursday next the 20th. Instant, be observed by the Inhabitants of all the english Colonies upon this Continent, as a Day of public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; that they may with united Hearts and Voice unfeignedly confess their Sins before God, and supplicate the all wise and merciful disposer of events, to avert the Desolation and Calamities of an unnatural war.” The General orders, that Day to be religiously observed by the Forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the proclamation of the Continental Congress: It is therefore strictly enjoin’d on all Officers and Soldiers, (not upon duty) to attend Divine Service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the Lines, as the Encampments and Quarters; and it is expected, that all those who go to worship, do take their Arms, Ammunitions and Accoutrements and are prepared for immediate Action if called upon. If in the judgment of the Officers, the Works should appear to be in such forwardness as the utmost security of the Camp requires, they will command their men to abstain from all Labour upon that solemn day.
2.3 “His Excellency General Washington was with the troops who passed us here to the Perkiomen. The procession lasted the whole night, and we had all kinds of visits from officers wet to the breast, who had to march in that condition the cold, damp night through, and to bear hunger and thirst at the same time. This robs them of courage and health, and instead of prayers we hear from most, the national evil, curses.”—Muhlenberg’s Diary, Sept. 19, 1777.
2.4 And certainly not all prayers that were offered to God, were not always for the best of motives: From WGW: Ford quotes from a letter from Col. John Chester to Col. Samuel B. Webb (January 17): “The inhuman treatment our prisoners met with while in New York is beyond all description. Humanity cannot but drop a tear at sight of the poor, miserable, starved objects. They are mere skeletons, unable to creep or speak in many instances. One vessel lost 27 in her passage from New York to Medford, and 7 died the night they were put ashore; and they are dying all along the roads. Most who have got home in the neighboring towns, are taken with the small pox, which undoubtedly was given them by design—all this does not seem to discourage the few surviving ones. They pray that God would only give them health and strength again, and they are determined to have sweet revenge.”
2.5 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, New York, May 15, 1776. The Continental Congress having ordered, Friday the 17th. Instant to be observed as a day of “fasting, humiliation and prayer, humbly to supplicate the mercy of Almighty God, that it would please him to pardon all our manifold sins and transgressions, and to prosper the Arms of the United Colonies, and finally, establish the peace and freedom of America, upon a solid and lasting foundation” — The General commands all officers, and soldiers, to pay strict obedience to the Orders of the Continental Congress, and by their unfeigned, and pious observance of their religious duties, incline the Lord, and Giver of Victory, to prosper our arms. The regiment of Artillery to be mustered, Sunday morning, at eight o’clock, upon the Common, where the Commissary General of Musters will attend.
2.6 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Morristown, February 4, 1777. The Hon’ble The Governor and Assembly of New Jersey, having directed Thursday the 6th. day of this Month, to be observed as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, by the Inhabitants of the State — The General desires the same may be observed by the army.
2.7 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, V. Forge, Sunday, April 12, 1778. The Honorable Congress having thought proper to recommend to The United States of America to set apart Wednesday the 22nd. instant to be observed as a day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, that at one time and with one voice the righteous dispensations of Providence may be acknowledged and His Goodness and Mercy toward us and our Arms supplicated and implored; The General directs that this day also shall be religiously observed in the Army, that no work be done thereon and that the Chaplains prepare discourses suitable to the Occasion.
2.8 To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS Head Quarters, Middle Brook, April 2, 1779. The Act recommending a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer shall be duly attended to.
2.9 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Middle Brook, Monday, April 12, 1779. The Honorable the Congress having recommended it to the United States to set apart Thursday the 6th. day of May next to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, to acknowledge the gracious interpositions of Providence; to deprecate deserved punishment for our Sins and Ingratitude, to unitedly implore the Protection of Heaven; Success to our Arms and the Arms of our Ally: The Commander in Chief enjoins a religious observance of said day and directs the Chaplains to prepare discourses proper for the occasion; strictly forbiding all recreations and unnecessary labor.
2.10 To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS Head Quarters, March 23, 1780. The day appointed for Fasting, humiliation and prayer will be observed by the Army, agreeable to the proclamation.
2.11 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, Morristown, Thursday, April 6, 1780. The Honorable the Congress having been pleased by their proclamation of the 11th. of last month to appoint Wednesday the 22nd. instant to be set apart and observed as a day of Fasting Humiliation and Prayer for certain special purposes therein mentioned, and recommended that there should be no labor or recreations on that day; The same is to be observed accordingly thro’out the Army and the different Chaplins will prepare discourses suited to the several objects enjoined by the said Proclamation.
2.12 GENERAL ORDERS Head Quarters, New Windsor, Friday, April 27, 1781. Congress having been pleased to set apart and appoint Thursday the 3d. of May next for fasting humiliation and prayer, the General enjoins a strict obedience to it in the Army and calls upon the Chaplains thereof to prepare discourses suitable to the occasion. All duties of Fatigue are to cease on that day.
3. Prayers for Self and Family
3.1 To JOSEPH REED Cambridge, December 15, 1775. Dear Sir: The accounts which you have given of the sentiments of the people respecting my conduct, is extremely flattering. Pray God, I may continue to deserve them, in the perplexed and intricate situation I stand in.
3.2 To MRS. MARTHA CUSTIS July 20, 1758. We have begun our march for the Ohio. A courier is starting for Williamsburg, and I embrace the opportunity to send a few words to one whose life is now inseparable from mine. Since that happy hour when we made our pledges to each other, my thoughts have been continually going to you as another Self. That an all-powerful Providence may keep us both in safety is the prayer of your ever faithful and affectionate friend.
3.3 To FRANCIS FAUQUIER Fort Cumberland Camp, August 5, 1758. In fine, I said, and did every thing to avert a mischief that seem’d to forebode our manifest Ruin; this is the light it appears to me. I pray Heaven my Fears may prove imaginary only.
3.4 To JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON New York, April 29, 1776. Mrs. Washington is still here, and talks of taking the Small Pox, but I doubt her resolution. to be inoculated. Mr. and Mrs. Custis will set out in a few days for Maryland. I did not write to you by the ‘Squire, because his departure in the first place, was sudden; in the next, I had but little to say. I am very sorry to hear that my Sister was Indisposed with a sore Breast when you last wrote. I hope she is now recover’d of it, and that all your Family are well; that they may continue so, and that our once happy Country may escape the depredations and Calamities attending on War, is the fervent prayer of, dear Sir, your most affectionate brother. Mrs. Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Custis join in love to my Sister and the rest of the Family.
3.5 To EDMUND PENDLETON Morris Town, April 12, 1777. Your friendly, and affectionate wishes for my health and success, has a claim to my thankful acknowledgements; and, that the God of Armies may enable me to bring the present contest to a speedy and happy conclusion, thereby gratifying me in a retirement to the calm and sweet enjoyment of domestick happiness, is the fervent prayer, and most ardent wish of my Soul.
3.6 To LANDON CARTER Morristown in New Jersey, April 15, 1777. Your friendly and affectionate wishes for my health and success has a claim to my most grateful acknowledgements. That the God of Armies may Incline the Hearts of my American Brethren to support, and bestow sufficient abilities on me to bring the present contest to a speedy and happy conclusion, thereby enabling me to sink into sweet retirement, and the full enjoyment of that Peace and happiness which will accompany a domestick Life, is the first wish, and most fervent prayer of my Soul.
3.7 To HANNAH FAIRFAX WASHINGTON Mount Vernon, May 20, 1792. Dear Madam: Mrs. Washington received with much pleasure your kind remembrance and affectionate regards, and would, were she here, where I am come for a few days only, return the same with much sincerity to which permit me to add the best wishes and ardent prayers for your happiness. I am etc.
4. Prayers For the Army
