A few days ago I had to go see a doctor and as I waited in the exam room, I saw on the wall a print titled First Prayer in Congress. This is nothing of a surprise as early members of Congress were devout Christians and traditionally a prayer is given during the opening of Congress.
But what really left an impression in my mind is the picture of these Congressmen on their knees, next to each other, in prayer. Patrick Henry, George Washington, etc.
And I start thinking about Congress today. We have members of Congress who favor and promote abortion, and still consider themselves devout Christians or Catholics. We have members of Congress who go outside of the country to badmouth America and her troops. We have members of Congress who won’t stand up against the evils of Islamic terrorism for fear of offending Muslims.
In the first prayer in Congress, the statesmen (yes, statesmen — not politicians like today) heard of Boston under siege by the British in retribution for the Boston Tea Party. They feared for the worst and prayed their hearts out for America, for Congress, and for Boston.
Today it is often the American people praying fervently for America, for Congress, and for others.
When did Congress lose its way? For a body of representatives elected by the American people, it has morphed into something that’s beyond our understanding. Our representatives are ignoring our voices. Our representatives are serving themselves more so than serving us. Our representatives are quick to compromise on principles, touting it as “bipartisanship.”
Maybe one of these days on C-SPAN we will see members of Congress on their knees in prayer or huddle in a prayer group. I would rather see that than any maneuver to filibuster.
