Benjamin Franklin's Plea for Prayer

   [Remarks of Benjamin Franklin, philosopher and statesman (born in Boston, January 16, 1706; died in Philadelphia, April 17, 1790), before The Convention in Philadelphia to frame the Constitution for the United States. These were delivered after two months had been consumed in debate, sometimes acrimonious, about the terms upon which the small States like Delaware and Rhode Island should be associated with larger States like New York, and when there seemed no hope of an agreement between the representatives of the larger and smaller States. The motion was nearly unanimously rejected. As the struggle continued, Franklin hit upon the expedient that was finally adopted, that all the States should be equally represented in the Upper House, and according to their population in the Lower, where all money bills were to originate. The deliberations of the convention being secret, the form of this speech was preserved in a copy by Madison from Franklin’s manuscript.]

MR. PRESIDENT:--The small progress we have made, after four or five weeks’ close attendance and continual reasoning with each other, our different sentiments on almost every question, several of the last producing as many noes as ayes, is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running all 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 originally 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 presented 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 Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers 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 we no longer need its 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 the house, 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 become a reproach and a by-word down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government 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 blessing 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.

Benjamin Franklin
28 June 1787
 Modern Eloquence: Occasional Addresses E-L.
Thomas B. Reed, ed.
Philadelphia: Morris, 1900. Pp.503-04

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."  (1 Timothy 2:1-2)