Let God Arise In All His Might

 

"May God arise, may His enemies be scattered; may His foes flee before Him."
(Psalm 68:1)

Washington's Prayer

Image courtesy/ McNaughton Fine Art

Let God arise in all His might,

And put the troops of hell to flight;

As smoke that sought to cloud the skies

Before the rising tempest flies.

He comes arrayed in burning flames,

Justice and Vengeance are His names;

Behold His fainting foes expire,

Like melting wax before the fire.

He rides and thunders through the sky,

His name JEHOVAH sounds on high;

Sing to His name, ye sons of grace;

Ye saints rejoice before His face.

The widow and the fatherless

Fly to His aid in sharp distress;

In Him the poor and helpless find

A judge that's just, a father kind.

He breaks the captive's heavy chain,

And prisoners see the light again;

But rebels that dispute His will

Shall dwell in chains and darkness still.

Kingdoms and thrones to God belong;

Crown Him, ye nations, in your song:

His wondrous names and powers rehearse;

His honors shall enrich your verse.

He shakes the heav'ns with loud alarms;

How terrible is God in arms!

In Israel are His mercies known,

Israel is His peculiar throne.

Proclaim Him King, pronounce Him blest;

He's your defense, your joy, your rest:

When terrors rise and nations faint,

God is the strength of every saint.

"Let God Arise In All His Might"
(1719)
Isaac Watts
(1674-1748)
English Congregational minister, 
hymn writer, theologian, logician

"Washington's Prayer"
By Jon McNaughton

George Washington was the Father of our country and was also a man who prayed.
On Inauguration Day, April 30, 1789, after taking the Oath of Office, he kissed the
Bible and looked up, reverently closed his eyes, and said, "So help me God!"

He then gave his first Inauguration Address where he ended by saying:

"I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the
Benign Parent of the Human Race, in humble supplication that, since He has
been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities of deliberating
in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity
on a form of government for the security of their union, and the
advancement of their happiness."

He wore a brown suit that day and walked with members of Congress to
St. Paul's Chapel where he offered prayer and devotion in behalf of the new Republic.

Many today argue whether Washington truly worshipped Jesus Christ.

In George Washington's personal prayer book, in his own handwriting, he wrote:

"And since Thou art a God of pure eyes, and will be sanctified in all who draw 
nearer to Thee, who dost not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who 
tread in Thy courts, pardon I beseech Thee, my sins, remove them from Thy
presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits
of Thy Son Jesus Christ, that when I come into Thy temple and compass
Thine altar, my prayer may come before Thee as incense, and as I desire
Thou wouldst hear me calling upon Thee in my prayers, so give me peace
to hear the calling on me in Thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness,
reconciliation and peace to the saving of my soul in the day of the Lord Jesus."