George Washington's
Hand Written Prayer Journal
Entitled, Daily Sacrifice
On April 21, 22, 23, 1891, there was sold at auction in Philadelphia a
remarkable collection of Washington relics owned by Lawrence Washington,
Bushrod C. Washington, Thomas B. Washington, and J. R. C. Lewis. Among
them was found a little manuscript book entitled Daily
Sacrifice.
"This gem is all in the handwriting of George Washington, when about
twenty years old, and is, without exception, the most hallowed of all his
writings. It is neatly written on twenty-four pages of a little book
about the size of the ordinary pocket memorandum." [*]
"The occasional interlineations and emendations indicate that it was
prepared for his own use."
Whether Washington composed the prayers himself or copied them from some
source as yet unknown has not been determined; but they are a revelation
of that striking character which has been the wonder of the world.
Professor S. F. Upham, professor of practical theology in Drew
Theological Seminary, wrote:
"The Daily Prayers of George Washington abound in earnest thought,
expressed in simple, beautiful, fervent and evangelical language. They
reveal to us the real life of the great patriot, and attest his piety.
None can read those petitions, which bore his desires to God, and often
brought answers of peace, without having a grander conception of
Washington's character."
"The prayers are characterized by a deep consciousness of sin and by
a need of forgiveness, and by a recognition of dependence upon the merits
and mercies of our Lord. They contain fervent applications for family,
friends, and rulers in church and state."
Source: Washington's Prayers, by W. Herbert Burk, 1907.
Note: * Burk states on page 13: "Experts in Washington
City, Philadelphia and New York are satisfied that it is Washington's
handwriting without a doubt."
Washington's 8 Daily Sacrifice prayers follow:
Sunday Morning
Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of
Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might
glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O
Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee
humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of
the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts
thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine
own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the
glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on
thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of
me.
And since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who
draw near unto thee, who doest 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 prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst
hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so
give me grace to hear thee
calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness,
reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the
Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it
with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that
it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has
sent it.
Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God
& guide this day and for ever for his sake, who lay down in the Grave
and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.
Sunday Evening
O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ
my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my
guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this
day. I have called on thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so
coldly and carelessly, that my prayers are become my sin and stand in
need of pardon. I have heard thy holy word, but with such deadness of
spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer, so that, O
Lord, though' I have done thy work, yet it hath been so negligently that
I may rather expect a curse than a blessing from thee.
But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not,
I beseech thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and
remit my transgressions, negligences & ignorances, and cover them all
with
the absolute obedience of thy dear
Son, that those sacrifices which I
have offered may be accepted by thee, in and for
the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ offered upon the cross
for me; for his sake, ease me of the burden of my sins, and give me
grace that by the call of the Gospel I may rise from the slumber of sin
into the newness of life.
Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this day
prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy
holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy sight, and therein
to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to
examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my
faith, and
direct me to the true object
Jesus Christ the way, the truth
and the life.
Bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the
lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed to rule over us in
church & state. Continue thy goodness to me this night.
These weak
petitions I humbly implore thee to hear accept and answer for the sake
of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen.
Monday Morning
O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning
before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and
hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and
preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject
to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body
refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I
beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul.
Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate
blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by thy Holy Spirit, from the dross
of my natural corruption, that I may with more freedom of mind and
liberty of will serve thee, the everlasting God, in righteousness and
holiness this day, and all the days of my life. Increase my faith in the
sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon
my wanderings, & direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my
salvation.
Teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run
in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart,
that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the
love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a
spiritual slumber, but
daily frame me more & more into the
likeness of thy Son, Jesus Christ, that
living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time
attain the resurrection of the just unto Eternal life.
Bless my family, friends & kindred; unite us all in praising &
glorifying thee in all our works begun, continued, and ended, when we
shall come to make our last account before thee blessed Saviour, who hath
taught us thus to pray, 'Our Father, which art in Heaven...'
Monday Evening
Most Gracious Lord God, from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift,
I offer to thy divine majesty my unfeigned praise & thanksgiving for
all thy mercies towards me. Thou madest me at first and hast ever since
sustained the work of thy own hand;
Thou gavest thy
Son to die for me; and hast given me
assurance of salvation, upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to
conform my life to his holy precepts and example. Thou art pleased to
lengthen out to me the time of repentance and to move me to it by thy
spirit and by the word, by thy mercies, and by thy judgments.
Out of a deepness of thy mercies, and by my own unworthiness, I do appear
before thee at this time;
I have sinned and done very wickedly, be
merciful to me, O God, and pardon me for Jesus
Christ sake; instruct me in the particulars of my duty,
and suffer me not to be tempted above what thou givest me strength to
bear. Take care, I pray thee, of my affairs and more and more direct me
in thy truth, defend me from my enemies, especially my spiritual ones.
Suffer me not to be drawn from thee, by the blandishments of the world,
carnal desires, the cunning of the devil, or deceitfulness of sin. Work
in me thy good will and pleasure, and discharge my mind from all things
that are displeasing to thee, of all ill will and discontent, wrath and
bitterness, pride & vain conceit of myself, and render me charitable,
pure, holy, patient and heavenly minded. Be with me at the hour of death;
dispose me for it, and deliver me from the slavish fear of it, and make
me willing and fit to die whenever thou shalt call me hence.
Bless our rulers in church and state. Bless O Lord the whole race of
mankind, and
let the world be filled with the knowledge of
thee and thy son Jesus Christ. Pity the
sick, the poor, the weak, the needy, the widows and fatherless, and all
that morn or are broken in heart, and be merciful to them according to
their several necessities. Bless my friends and grant me grace to forgive
my enemies as heartily as I desire forgiveness of Thee, my Heavenly
Father.
I beseech thee to defend me this night from all evil, and do
more for me than I can think or ask, for Jesus
Christ sake, in whose most holy name & words, I
continue to pray, 'Our Father, which art in Heaven...'
Tuesday Morning
O Lord our God, most mighty and merciful Father, I thine unworthy
creature and servant, do once more approach thy presence. Though not
worthy to appear before thee, because of my natural corruptions, and the
many sins and transgressions which I have committed against thy divine
majesty; yet
I beseech thee, for the sake of him in whom thou art well
pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ, to admit
me to render thee deserved thanks and praises for thy manifold mercies
extended toward me, for the quiet rest & repose of the past night,
for food, raiment, health, peace, liberty, and the hopes of a better life
through the merits of thy dear son's bitter passion.
And O kind Father, continue thy mercy and favor to me this day, and ever
hereafter; prosper all my lawful undertakings; let me have all my
directions from thy Holy Spirit; and success from thy bountiful hand. Let
the bright beams of thy light so shine into my heart, and enlighten my
mind in understanding thy blessed word, that I may be enabled to perform
thy will in all things, and effectually resist all temptations of the
world, the flesh and the devil. Preserve and defend our rulers in church
& state. Bless the people of this land, be a father to the
fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives,
and a physician to the sick.
Let thy blessings guide this day and
forever through Jesus Christ in
whose blessed form of prayer I conclude my weak petitions--'Our Father,
which art in Heaven...'
Tuesday Evening
Most gracious God and heavenly father, we cannot cease, but must cry unto
thee for mercy, because my sins cry against me for justice. How shall I
address myself unto thee? I must with the publican stand and admire
at thy great goodness, tender mercy, and long suffering towards me, in
that thou hast kept me the past day from being consumed and brought to
naught.
O Lord, what is man, or the son of man, that thou regardest him; the more
days pass over my head, the more sins and iniquities I heap up against
thee. If I should cast up the account of my good deeds done this day, how
few and small would they be; but if I should reckon my miscarriages,
surely they would be many and great. O, blessed Father, let thy son's
blood wash me from all impurities, and cleanse me from the stains of sin
that are upon me. Give me grace to lay hold upon his merits; that they
may be my reconciliation and atonement unto thee,--That I may know my
sins are forgiven by his death & passion.
Embrace me in the arms of thy mercy; vouchsafe to receive me unto the
bosom of thy love, shadow me with thy wings, that I may safely rest under
thy suspicion this night; and so into thy hands I commend myself, both
soul and body,
in the name of thy son,
Jesus Christ, beseeching Thee, when this
life shall end, I may take my everlasting rest with thee in thy heavenly
kingdom.
Bless all in authority over us, be merciful to all those afflicted with
thy cross or calamity, bless all my friends, forgive my enemies and
accept my thanksgiving this evening for all the mercies and favors
afforded me. Hear and graciously answer these my requests, and
whatever else thou seeth needful grant us, for the sake of
Jesus Christ in whose blessed name and
words I continue to pray, Our Father, which art in Heaven ...'
Wednesday Morning
Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great creator of heaven &
earth, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ; look down from heaven, in pity and compassion upon me thy
servant, who humbly prostrate myself before thee, sensible of thy
mercy and my own misery.
There is an infinite distance between thy glorious majesty and me, thy
poor creature, the work of thy hand, between thy infinite power, and my
weakness, thy wisdom, and my folly, thy eternal Being, and my mortal
frame, but O Lord, I have set myself at a greater distance from thee by
my sin and wickedness, and humbly acknowledge the corruption of my nature
and the many rebellions of my life. I have sinned against heaven and
before thee, in thought, word & deed; I have contemned thy majesty
and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to done,
and committing what I ought not. I have rebelled against light, despised
thy mercies and judgments, and broken my vows and promises; I have
neglected the means of Grace, and opportunities of becoming better; my
iniquities are multiplies, and my sins are very great. I confess them, O
Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing, and desire to be
vile in my own eyes, as I have rendered myself vile in thine.
I humbly beseech thee to
be merciful to me in the free pardon of
my sins, for the sake of Thy dear Son, my only
Saviour, Jesus Christ, who came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance; be pleased to renew my nature and write thy
laws upon my heart, and help me to live, righteously, soberly, and godly
in this evil world; make me humble, meek, patient and contented, and work
in me the grace of thy Holy Spirit.
Prepare me for death and judgment, and let the thoughts thereof awaken me
to a greater care and study to approve myself unto thee in well doing.
Bless our rulers in church & state. Help all in affliction or
adversity--give them patience and a sanctified use of their affliction,
and in thy good time deliverance from them; forgive my enemies, take me
unto thy protection this day,
keep me in perfect peace, which I ask in
the name & for the sake of Jesus.
Amen.
Wednesday Evening
Holy and eternal Lord God who art the King of heaven, and the watchman of
Israel, that never slumberest or sleepest, what shall we render unto thee
for all thy benefits? Because thou hast inclined thine ears unto
me, therefore will I call on thee as long as I live, from the rising of
the sun to the going down of the same let thy name be praised. Among the
infinite riches of thy mercy towards me, I desire to render thanks &
praise for thy merciful preservation of me this day, as well as all the
days of my life; and for the many other blessings & mercies spiritual
& temporal which thou hast bestowed on me, contrary to my deserving.
All these thy mercies call on me to be thankful and my infirmities &
wants call for a continuance of thy tender mercies.
Cleanse my soul, O Lord, I beseech thee, from whatever is offensive to
thee, and hurtful to me, and give me what is convenient for me. Watch
over me this night, and give me comfortable and sweet sleep to fit me for
the service of the day following.
Let my soul watch for the coming of
the Lord Jesus; let my bed put me in
mind of my grave, and my rising from there of my last resurrection;
O heavenly Father, so frame this heart of mine, that I may ever delight
to live according to thy will and command, in holiness and righteousness
before thee all the days of my life. Let me remember, O Lord, the time
will come when the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise and stand
before the judgment seat, and give an account of whatever they have done
in the body, and let me so prepare my soul, that I may do it with joy and
not with grief.
Bless the rulers and people of this and forget not those who are under
any affliction or oppression. Let thy favor be extended to all my
relations, friends and all others who I ought to remember in my prayer
and hear me I beseech thee for the sake of my dear Redeemer in whose most
holy words, I further pray, 'Our Father, Most gracious Lord God, whose
dwelling is in the highest heavens, and yet beholdest the lowly and
humble upon earth, I blush and am ashamed to lift up my eyes to thy
dwelling place, because I have sinned against thee; look down, I beseech
thee upon me thy unworthy servant who prostrate myself at the footstool
of thy mercy, confessing my own guiltiness, and begging pardon for my
sins; what couldst thou have done Lord more for me, or what could I have
done more against thee?
Thou didst send me Thy
Son to take our nature upon
[
Note: The manuscript ended at this place, the close of a page.
Whether the other pages were lost or the prayers were never completed,
has not been determined].
Source:
Washington's Prayers, by W. Herbert Burk, 1907.
Reprinted with permission in George Washington, the
Christian, by William J. Johnson, The Abingdon Press, New York
& Cincinnati, 1919, pp. 24-35.
OTHER QUOTES FROM GEORGE
WASHINGTON
"Most Glorious God, in
Jesus
Christ, my merciful and loving Father; I acknowledge and
confess my guilt in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of
this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of my sins,
but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin, and they
stand in need of pardon. I have sinned against heaven and before Thee in
thought, word, and deed. I have contemned Thy majesty and holy laws. I
have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to have done and committing
what I ought not. I have rebelled against the light, despising Thy
mercies and judgment, and broken my vows and promise. I have neglected
the better things. My iniquities are multiplied and my sins are very
great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and
loathing and desire to be vile in my own eyes as I have rendered myself
vile in Thine. I humbly beseech Thee to be merciful to me in the free
pardon of my sins for the sake of
Thy dear Son
and only Savior Jesus Christ who came to call not the righteous,
but sinners to repentance. Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me. Make me
to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight, open the
eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself
concerning my knowledge, faith, and repentance, increase my faith, and
direct me to the true object,
Jesus
Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life." (
George
Washington, Authentic handwritten manuscript book, April 23,
1752)
"The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a
Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one
third pr month--The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are
directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and
exemplary lives--To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them
a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The
blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but
especially so in times of public distress and danger--
The General
hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to live,
and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and
Liberties of his country." (
George Washington, General
Orders, July 9, 1776)
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and
soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties
of religion.
To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be
our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of
Christian. The signal instances of Providential goodness which we
have experienced and which have now almost crowned our labors with
complete success demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns
of gratitude and piety to the Supreme Author of all good."
(
George Washington, General Orders, May 2, 1778)
"I am glad you have brought three of the Children of your principal
Chiefs to be educated with us. I am sure Congress will open the Arms of
love to them, and will look upon them, and will look upon them as their
own Children, and will have them educated accordingly. This is a great
mark of your confidence and of your desire to preserve friendship between
the Two Nations to the end of time, and to become One People with your
Brethren of the United States. My ears hear with pleasure the other
matters you mention. Congress will be glad to hear them too.
You do
well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the
religion of Jesus Christ. These will
make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do
everything they can to assist you in this wise intention; and to tie the
knot of friendship and union so fast, that nothing shall ever be able to
loose it." (
George Washington, To the Chiefs of the Delaware
Indian tribe, who had brought three youths to be trained in American
schools, May 12, 1779)
"If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the
Constitution framed by the convention where I had the honor to preside
might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical
society certainly I would never have placed my signature to it: and if I
could now conceive that the general government might ever be so
administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you
will be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to
establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny and
every species of religious persecution." (
George Washington,
Address to the General Committee of the United Baptist Churches of
Virginia, May 10, 1789)
"While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven as
the source of all public and private blessings; I will observe that the
general prevalence of piety, philanthropy, honesty, industry, and economy
seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs, particularly necessary
for advancing and conforming the happiness of our country. While
all
men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity
according to the dictates of their consciences; it is rationally to
be expected from them in return, that they will be emulous of evincing
the sanctity of their professions by the innocence of their lives and the
beneficence of their actions; for no man, who is profligate in his
morals, or a bad member of the civil community, can possibly be a true
Christian, or a credit to his own religious society." (
George
Washington, Letter to the Presbyterian General Assembly, May,
1789)
"It would ill become me to conceal the joy I have felt in perceiving
the fraternal affection, which appears to increase every day among the
friends of genuine religion. It affords edifying prospects indeed, to see
Christians of different denominations, dwell together in more charity and
conduct themselves in respect to each other, with a more Christian-like
spirit than ever they have done in any former age, or in any other
Nation." (
George Washington, Letter to General Convention of
Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church, August 18, 1789)
"Of all the animosities which have existed among mankind, those
which are caused by difference of sentiments in religion appear to be the
most inveterate and distressing, and ought most to be deprecated. I was
in hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy, which has marked the
present age, would at least have reconciled Christians of every
denomination so far that we should never again see the religious disputes
carried to such a pitch as to endanger the peace of society."
(
George Washington, Letter to Edward Newenham, October 20,
1792)
OTHER PATRIOTS ON
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great
nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians not on
religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason,
peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and
freedom of worship here." (
Patrick Henry, Speech to the
Virginia House of Burgesses, May, 1765)
"That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the
manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction,
not by force or violence; and therefore all men are equally entitled to
the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience;
and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance,
love, and charity towards each other." (
Article 16, Draft of the
First Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia [
Patrick
Henry was a member of the drafting committee],
June 12,
1776)
"Let the deist reflect on this, and remember that Washington, the
saviour of his country, did not disdain to acknowledge and adore a great
Saviour, whom deists and infidels affect to slight and despise."
(
Jonathan Mitchell Sewall, in an address to Portsmouth, New
Hampshire on December 31, 1799)
"The supreme Ruler of the Universe, having been pleased, in the
course of His Providence, to establish the Independence of the United
States of America, and to cause them to assume their rank, amount the
nations of the Earth, and bless them with Liberty, Peace and Plenty; we
ought to be led by Religious feelings of Gratitude; and to walk before
Him, in all Humility, according to His most Holy Law. - But, as the
depravity of our Hearts has, in so many instances drawn us aside from the
path of duty, so that we have frequently offended our Divine and Merciful
Benefactor; it is therefore highly incumbent on us, according to the
ancient and laudable practice of our pious Ancestors, to open the year by
a public and solemn Fast. - That with true repentance and contrition of
Heart, we may unitedly implore the forgiveness of our Sins, through the
merits of
Jesus Christ, and humbly
supplicate our Heavenly Father, to grant us the aids of His Grace, for
the amendment of our Hearts and Lives, and vouchsafe His smiles upon our
temporal concerns ..." (
Governor Samuel Adams, Proclamation
For a Day of Public Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer, February 28,
1795)