Benjamin Franklin's Constitutional Convention Address on Prayer

The small progress we have made after 4 or five weeks close attendance & continual reasonings with each other -- our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ays, is methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the Human Understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own wont of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist. And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

In this situation of this Assembly groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the Divine Protection. -- Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? or do we imagine that we no longer need His assistance.

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move -- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.

I find this speech especially timely today in light of the Tea Party Convention which took place last night and in light of the remarks Governor Palin made during the Q and A session following her speech of historic proportions.

During that session, Palin called for Americans to allow for the spirit of this country and its founders to rise up again: that we must be a God-fearing people willing to confront our fallibility as human beings and seek assistance from our Creator. Palin reminded us of the fact of God and His "divine intervention."

I appreciate this speech by Ben Franklin, in particular, because of his emphasis on God's direct involvement in and oversight of even the most seemingly insignificant events of the day. If he controls the rise and fall of mere sparrows, then he certainly is behind the rise and fall of empires as well.

These words are especially moving considering 1) how conflicted and chaotic the Constitutional convention must have been considering the diversity of viewpoints represented by so many sides and people, and 2) Ben Franklin considered himself quite the skeptic much of life, often leaning towards the philosophy of "Deism." (Which, despite what history rewriters would have you believe, was a fringe viewpoint that never gained real ground among the vast majority of early Americans and founding fathers.)

As the speech reveals, Franklin had a change of heart. "The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men."

These are challenging times and we must heed Franklin's call to prayer (which Palin echoed yesterday) and put our trust in our Almighty God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ--the King of kings, who REIGNS over the universe!

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