Presidential Prayer Kids

Portrait of Samuel Adams courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery.

One of the neatest things that Samuel Adams did was call for prayer. That's right, he was a praying person—just like you! As he gathered with other delegates at the First Continental Congress, Samuel Adams called for prayer. He knew that if the proceedings of the esteemed group were to be successful, they would have to look to God for wisdom, inspiration and direction. Some pointed out that everyone had a little bit different tradition when it came to faith and prayer, suggesting that maybe the members couldn't pray together to open their session. Adams realized, however, that God was still God and they still needed his help, no matter what. They shouldn't let their differences affect them, he said. So he brought it up this way:

Christian men, who had come together for solemn deliberation in the hour of their extremity, to say there was so wide a difference in their religious belief that they could not, as one man, bow the knee in prayer to the Almighty, whose advice and assistance they hoped to obtain.

QUESTION 1

Which of the statements below best explains what Samuel Adams was getting at in his call for prayer?

This painting shows a family during the Colonial period of New England—just about the time that Samuel Adams is writing to his son-in-law to be, T. Wells. Do you think their family looked something like this? Image courtesy of the Worcester Museum of Art.

When Samuel Adams' daughter was engaged to be married, Samuel had some pretty important words for the young man, T. Wells, who was to marry his daughter. He was suddenly thinking of all the things he hoped for the young couple. Here are some of his words to his future son-in-law:

I could say a thousand things to you, if I had leisure. I could dwell on the importance of piety and religion, of industry and frugality, of prudence, economy, regularity and even government, all of which are essential to the well being of a family. But I have not time. I cannot, however help repeating piety, because I think it indispensable. Religion in a family is at once its brightest ornament and its best security.

Samuel Adams had many concerns for the young couple as they began their life together. It seems almost as though he is in a big rush to share his heartfelt advice. Perhaps he is heading off to the legislature or some other engagement.

QUESTION 2

Which statement do you think best explains what Samuel Adams wants to communicate to the young couple?

See, Samuel Adams believed that the Christian faith was the most important thing—for a person, a family or a nation! And that belief led him to believe so strongly in the cause of independence. That's right, he felt that the many taxes and other burdens that England was putting on the Colonies were unjust—to the point that the Colonists had a mandate from God to declare independence.

Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol.

Samuel Adams' leadership was so deeply appreciated by his fellow patriots and Founding Fathers; they chose to honor him in the design and decoration of the Capitol Building.

You see, the Founders wanted the new Capitol to show the world how greatly the godly faith of America affected the quest for freedom and independence. For that reason, the Capitol Building is almost like a Faith Hall of Fame honoring many godly individuals who founded our nation.

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress

Samuel Adams was one of these. Because he was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, you can see him in the huge painting that shows the signing of the Declaration. This painting is in a very noticeable spot in the Rotunda. The Capitol Rotunda is the center of the whole building!

Photo courtesy of the Architect of the Capitol.

But there are other places to see Patriot Samuel Adams in the Capitol. A full size statue of him stands proudly in the East Central Hall of the Capitol. When you look at this statue, you can see that Samuel Adams is a strong and determined man. He had to be—he led a revolution! In fact, Adams has been called "The Father of the American Revolution."

And while many people appreciate and recognize Adams' leadership in the early politics of our nation, his Christian faith that guided him and helped him form his political views.

In fact, Adams wrote an essay called The Rights of the Colonists. It was widely circulated in 1772. In it he wrote the following:

The right to freedom being the gift of the Almighty...The rights of the colonists as Christians...may be best understood by reading and carefully studying the institution of The Great Law Giver and Head of the Christian Church, which are to be found clearly written and promulgated in the New Testament.

QUESTION 3

When you read Samuel Adams' quotation above, which statement do you think best explains his view of faith and freedom?

General Stonewall Jackson was Robert E. Lee's "right arm" during the Civil War. He was devout in his Christian faith and turned all his thoughts toward prayer. Have you ever tried doing that?

A reminder to pray all the time from a great Civil War General.

I have so fixed the habit of prayer in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God's blessing, never seal a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward.
--Stonewall Jackson

This week's prayer tip is short and simple, and it is borrowed from Civil War General Stonewall Jackson, a great man of faith in our nation's history.

Read General Jackson's quote again, and think about his words. He is saying that every action, every moment of every day, can be a prayer reminder. Have you ever tried that?

Even a glass of water can be a prayer reminder for a PPTKid!

This week, every time you take a sip of water, whether you're at the drinking fountain at school or at your kitchen sink at home, tell God "thanks" for water. It is so good and it keeps you alive! Offer Him your praise, and ask His blessing.

You can even let the Super Bowl hype serve as a prayer reminder! That's right. Each time you hear someone mention the Eagles, pray that President Bush will be strengthened by waiting on God. And when you hear the Patriots mentioned, pray that that the faithful witness Samuel Adams gave to his faith will be replicated over and over by the leaders of our nation, from the President on down.

See? Most anything can become a prayer reminder for members of The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids. Give it a try, and remember to pray for the President and the country every time you see an American flag!

Even though lots of people were congratulating the President and Vice President last week, we'd like to congratulate you! That's right! Because we know you have been praying for the President—some of you for a very long time. And your prayers have helped bring him right to this moment in history where he begins four more years of serving our nation. So thanks for your faithful prayers, and remember to keep them going, because the President has a whole lot of very big challenges facing him in the next four years. We will never know how our prayers have changed the course of history—we simply trust that they have.