The Blessings of Prayer, and all that implies

                   

The Old Church / 1841 / Oxford, Georgia--------------------------------------

                                                                                                                                      
 By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
Geo: Washington

Psalm 100

King James Version (KJV)

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

² Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
³ Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
⁴ Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
⁵ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Isaac Adair Home / 1827 / Lawrenceville, Georgia  ----------------------------------------

                                                                                                            
                                                                     

      Proverbs 8

       King James Version (KJV)                                                                

1 Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?

² She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.

³ She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.

⁴ Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

⁵ O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

⁶ Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

⁷ For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

⁸ All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

⁹ They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.

¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

¹² I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.

¹³ The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

¹⁵ By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.

¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

¹⁷ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

¹⁸ Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

²⁰ I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

²¹ That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

²² The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.

²³ I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

²⁴ When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.

²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:

²⁶ While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

²⁷ When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:

²⁸ When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:

²⁹ When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:

³⁰ Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;

³¹ Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.

³² Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.

³³ Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

³⁴ Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

³⁵ For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord.

          

Seaborn Goodall House / 1815 / Screven County Ga.         -----------------------

              

The Prayer of An Unknown Civil War Soldier

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was give life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for—but got everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all people, most richly blessed.

Eagle Tavern / 1789/ Watkinsville, Georgia -------------------------------------------------------------------

 Psalm 104

 King James Version (KJV)                                                                       

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

² Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
³ Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
⁴ Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
⁵ Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
⁶ Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
⁷ At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
⁸ They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
⁹ Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
¹⁰ He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
¹¹ They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
¹² By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
¹³ He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
¹⁴ He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
¹⁵ And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
¹⁶ The trees of the Lord are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
¹⁷ Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
¹⁸ The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
¹⁹ He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
²⁰ Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
²¹ The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
²² The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
²³ Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
²⁴ O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
²⁵ So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
²⁶ There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
²⁷ These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
²⁸ That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
²⁹ Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
³⁰ Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
³¹ The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
³² He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
³³ I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
³⁴ My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in theLord.

Elisha Winn Home / 1812 / Gwinnett County, Ga.------------------------

                                                                                                                                   

                             

Job Chapter 28

¹ Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.

² Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.

³ He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

⁴ The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

⁵ As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

⁶ The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.

⁷ There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:

⁸ The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.

⁹ He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

¹⁰ He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.

¹¹ He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.

¹² But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

¹³ Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

¹⁴ The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

¹⁵ It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

¹⁶ It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

¹⁷ The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

²⁰ Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

²¹ Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

²² Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

²³ God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

²⁴ For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

²⁵ To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.

²⁶ When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

²⁷ Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

²⁸ And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home / 1859 / Augusta Ga. ----------------------------------------------

Ephesians 6:10-20

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

¹⁵ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

¹⁹ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

²⁰ For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

   

“A Prayer”

by Max Ehrmann

Let me do my work each day; and if the darkened hours of despair

overcome me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me

in the desolation of other times.

May I still remember the bright hours that found me walking over

the silent hills of my childhood, or dreaming on the margin of a quiet

river, when a light glowed within me, and I promised my early God

to have courage amid the tempests of the changing years.

Spare me from bitterness and from the sharp passions of unguarded

moments. May I not forget that poverty and riches are of the spirit.

Though the world knows me not, may my thoughts and actions be

such as shall keep me friendly with myself.

Lift up my eyes from the earth, and let me not forget the uses of the

stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself.

Let me not follow the clamor of the world, but walk calmly in my

path.

Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am; and keep ever

burning before my vagrant steps the kindly light of hope.

And though age and infirmity overtake me, and I come not within

sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for

life, and for time's olden memories that are good and sweet; and

may the evening's twilight find me gentle still.

Hurricane Shoals Chapel /1892 / Jackson County, Georgia --------------------------------

"Time is

too slow for those who wait,

too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve,

too short for those who rejoice,

but for those who love – time is eternity".

Henry Van Dyke  ---------------------------------------------------------

Hurricane Shoals Cabin / 1814 / Jackson County, Georgia ----------------------------------

More Than Conquerors

Romans 8:31

King James Version (KJV)

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Welcome Center, Athens, Georgia ----------------------       

Anthony Shoals, Broad River, Georgia

   Before Television became widely available, a broadcast on an American radio program, a daughter lies in her bed on Christmas Eve, her father tenderly explains the meaning of the Lord's Prayer to her:

Daughter: I've been saying the Lord's Prayer with Mommy. What does the Lord's Prayer mean, Daddy?

Father: The Lord's Prayer? Well, darling, I'll 'explain it to you. It means an awful lot, and with the world like it is today, it seems to have bigger meaning than ever before.

Daughter: But what does the Lord's Prayer really mean, Daddy?

Father: Now, you lay down, and you listen. The first line of the Lord's Prayer is this: "Our Father which art in Heaven" — that means Father of all that is good — where no wrong can dwell. Then it says — "Hallowed be Thy name" — that means, darling, that we should love and respect all that is good. Then it says — "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven" — that means, darling, as we clean our hearts with love, the good, the true, and the beautiful, then Earth where we are now will be like Heaven.

Daughter: That would be wonderful, Daddy.

Father: Then it says — "Give us this day our daily bread" — that means to feed our hearts and minds with kindness, with love and courage, which will make us strong for our daily task. Then after that, the line of the Lord's Prayer is — "An' forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" — you remember the Golden Rule?

Daughter: Yes, Daddy.

Father: Well, that means we must keep the Golden Rule and do unto others as we would want them to do unto us. And then it says — "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" — that means, my darling, to ask God to help us do, an' see, an' think right, so that we will neither be led nor tempted by anything that is bad. "For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever. Amen." That means, darling, that all the world an' everything that's in it, belongs to God's kingdom — everything — Mommy, your Daddy, your little brother and sister, your grandma — you and everybody — and, as we know that, an' act as if we know it, that, my darling daughter, is the real spirit of Christmas.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 / King James Version

Pray Without Ceasing.

Indian Springs Hotel / 1823 / Indian Springs, Georgia -----------------------------------------------------

O God our father, we would thank thee for all the bright things of life.Help us to see them, and to count them, and to remember them, that our lives my flow in ceaseless praise; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is in the field of prayer that life's critical battles are lost or won...In prayer we bring our spiritual enemies into the Presence of God and we fight them there.

John Henry Jowett

p. 8IN TIME OF RAIN

We thank Thee, Lord, for the glory of the late days and the excellent face of thy sun.  We thank Thee for good news received.  We thank Thee for the pleasures we have enjoyed and for those we have been able to confer.  And now, when the clouds gather and the rain impends over the forest and our house, permit us not to be cast down; let us not lose the savour of past mercies and past pleasures; but, like the voice of a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memory survive in the hour of darkness.  If there be in front of us any painful duty, strengthen us with the grace of courage; if any act of mercy, teach us tenderness and patience.

Robert Louis Stevenson