Scripture:  No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good,   and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy,     and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8 NLT).

February 22^nd, Presidents’ Day, is the birthday of George Washington.  That’s the way it was remembered when I was a child.  February 12^th was Lincoln’s birthday.  These two days were celebrated separately until 1971, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved these holidays, together with Memorial Day. Labor Day, and Columbus Day, to a designated Monday, to give more three-day weekends to Federal employees.  Martin Luther King’s birthday has since been added to this list of closest-Monday holidays.

George Washington was an imperfect man, but one who recognized his need for God. To the best of his ability, he followed the teachings of the Bible.  As Commander in Chief, he insisted his troops adhere to Christian morality. Like most landowners of that day, he owned slaves, but in his will, he asked that they be freed. Martha carried out his wishes the year after his death.

The history of the Revolutionary War is filled with miracles of divine intervention, without which America would never have won its freedom.  George Washington’s deep faith inspired a rag-tag, impoverished army, riddled with deadly smallpox, to persevere despite all odds.  When the war was over, he was offered kingship. To everyone’s amazement. He refused, saying, “Let the people decide.”  He was unanimously elected president of the new nation for its first eight years, but declined a third term to return to the life of an ordinary citizen. Few men would have refused the incredible power offered him.

Many of George Washington’s earnest prayers have been recorded for history. One that was written after the war ended and the army disbanded read, in part: “I now make it my earnest prayer that God would dispose us to do justice, to love mercy, and to [have] charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind  . . . the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion.” Without these qualities, he insisted, we could never hope to be a happy nation.

Today, we have fallen too far away from the faith of this great man. Yet I see today’s president trying to echo his leadership, despite constant attacks by those who hate him. I love the remarks President Trump made at the recent National Prayer Breakfast, “All of us here today reaffirm these timeless truths: Faith keeps us free. Prayer makes us strong. And God alone is the author of life and the giver of grace.” On this Presidents’ Day, I honor him and pray earnestly for him to receive God’s wisdom and protection.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, I lift our president and his family to you. Teach him Your ways and help him have the courage and humility to continue seeking You.  In Your name I pray. Amen.