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We have faced many challenges throughout the history of our country
in times of prosperity and famine, and peace and war. We as
a people who elect representatives to conduct government rely on
their honesty to the people, the integrity of their character, and
their loyalty to the founding principles of this country.
Therefore, we as citizens of the United States of America should
pray in earnest for wisdom to be bestowed upon our governmental
leaders at all levels of government to guide them in their decisions
which will affect not only the United States of America but the
entire world.
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to
the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be
peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent
supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe,
who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential
aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate
to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States
a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes,
and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to
execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering
this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good,
I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than
my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either.
No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand
which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United
States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character
of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some
token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just
accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil
deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities
from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means
by which most governments have been established without some return
of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future
blessings which the past seem to presage. These reflections, arising
out of the present crisis, have forced themselves too strongly on
my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me, I trust, in thinking
that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings
of a new and free government can more auspiciously commence."
George Washington, First
Inaugural Address, New York City, April 30, 1789
