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America Must Pray

By Dr. Mal Couch

Public prayer, spiritual publications of poems and music, have always been a part of America, until recently. There are forces now trying to silence the Christian spiritual heritage of open and free expression to our God that made this nation great.

Each week I’ll add some historical tidbits as how Christian expression and public prayer was a vital part of our nation’s blessing. We may not fully know of the spiritual state of all the men we examine, but we do know none of them were fearful of prayers to the God of the Bible in the public setting.

If you are a pastor or Sunday school teacher, please print off these little bits of our history and share them with others.



Daniel C. Roberts

Roberts (1841-1907) was an Episcopal priest who would make the greatest impact in American hymnology. Brandon, Vermont was holding this nation's centennial celebration. For the occasion Roberts wrote a prayer and a poem known as "God of Our Fathers."


Later, the country's greatest organist, George Warren, put the verses to music. It was premiered at the national conference of the Episcopal Church of the U.S. and published as the "National Hymn."

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.
Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
In this free land by Thee our lot is cast;
Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay.
Thy word be our law, Thy paths our chosen way.

As a youngster and a teenager, I can remember this beautiful hymn sung often in school assemblies by the school chorus. All the students would stand and join in. Could this song be sung today in our public school assemblies? I doubt it! What a departure this nation has taken!

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