Painting of Congress Praying

First prayer in the First Continental Congress at Carpenter's Hall,

Philadelphia, September 1774

“I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live,
the more convincing proofs I see of this truth:
that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a
sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice,
is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings,
that ‘except the Lord build the House they labour
in vain that build it.’ I firmly believe this; and I also
believe that without his concurring aid we shall
succeed in this political building no better, than the
Builders of Babel . . . I therefore beg leave to move—
that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance
of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations,
be held in this Assembly every morning before
we proceed to business, and that one or more
of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate
in that Service.”
Benjamin Franklin, June 28, 1787