A Prayer for Guidance (by George Washington)
O Eternal and Everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before Thy Divine majesty, beseeching Thee to accept of my humble & hearty thanks, that it hath pleased Thy great goodness to keep & preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet & pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed & comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech Thee to defend me from all perils of body & soul.
Direct my thoughts, words, and work; wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by the Holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption, that I may with more freedom of mind & liberty of will serve Thee, the Everlasting God, in righteousness & holiness this day, & 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, and 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 and 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, and kindred. Unite us all in praising & glorifying Thee, blessed Saviour, who hath taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. Thy Kindom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen
- From his prayer journal, Mount Vernon, an undated prayer
