Prayer in American History (A Snapshot)

Many times in our lives we pray when we go to church or when there is a problem or a situation we need Gods help in. The sad reality is that many of those who call themselves Christians in America don’t make prayer a regular part of their lives when there are no problems or issues to deal with or to call out to God for. It seems that only when our backs are against the wall do we call out to God or even consider him as a last resort and even then we do it grudgingly or out of a sense of duty.
Let’s take a look at the moments in our American history when prayer (& fasting) has been called for and why. Even before we became a nation or a people who settled here for the purpose of freedom in our relationship with God there were those who prayed and fasted just because they wanted to draw nearer to God (The Separatists in England; also known as the Pilgrims, The Huguenots (French protestants), The Reformers (i.e. Martin Luther) and many others.
As we look at the true history of this republic (America) we see the hand of God in all aspects of it. Prayer was as intricate a part of the early settler’s lives as was breathing, so should it be for us today.
April 1607 – At Jamestown one of the first acts of Captain John Smith and his soldiers
was to erect a wooden cross on the shore at Cape Henry. The Rev. Robert
Hunt led 149 men in public prayer, thanking God for their safe journey and
they recommitted themselves to God’s plan and purpose for this New
World.
Nov. 1620 – The Mayflower Compact was signed and sealed by prayer
Nov. 1621 – The First thanksgiving when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians gave
thanks to Almighty God and acknowledged their utter dependence upon
Him for their existence.
1653 – The first entry into the city records of New Amsterdam (present day New York) was the Rev. John Megapolensis’ prayer of intercession opening the court “Graciously incline our hearts, that we exercise the power which thou hast given us, to the general good of the community, and to the maintenance of the church, that we may be praised by them that do well, and a terror to evil-doers.”
1680 – During their establishment of New Hampshire as a province, a civil assembly was convened and a solemn public fast was proclaimed, a proclamation that “… their glorious cause (to be)… the glory of God… and spreading the gospel among the heathen”
1736 – Moravians and other persecuted Protestants who, when they touched the shores of
Georgia knelt in thanks to God. They said, “our end in leaving our native country
is not to gain riches and honor, but singly this – to live wholly to the glory of
God.”
Sept. 5, 1774 – The first Continental Congress, on it’s first day met, “The proceedings of the Assembly were introduced by religious observances and devout supplications to the throne of grace, for the inspiration of wisdom and the spirit of good counsels.”
General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson many times during his command of confederate troops was heard to be pleading with God to “Baptize the whole army with His Holy Spirit.”
Abraham Lincoln, on September 22, 1862 issued the Emancipation Proclamation after seeking God for the reason why the South had such great victory in battle, and being impressed upon by God that the nation’s chief sins were slavery and pride, not only did he issue the proclamation but he also called for a national Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer throughout the North on April 30th, 1863.