Guest Chaplain: Rabbi Leo M. Franklin, Temple Beth El, Detroit, Michigan
Date of Prayer: 19 January 1917
Sponsor: n/a
Date of Prayer: 19 January 1917
Sponsor: n/a
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Almighty God,
in whose hands are the destinies of men and nations, earnestly do we seek Thee in this hour. As in the ages past Thou hast guided men through storm and stress to safety and peace; as in all times Thy love has lifted and inspired the hearts of men to deeds of heroism and of self-forgetting sacrifice, so in these times, O Father, do Thou bless us with the light of Thine on-leading love, so that there may be kindled in our hearts the fires of loyalty to all that lifts life to the highest and makes a people worthy in Thy sight. |
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Oh, may this great people
be true to the best in all its past. |
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Do Thou inspire
the hearts and the minds of its citizenry with a passion for righteousness and with a sense of sacramental service for humanity. |
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May material success
not stultify our souls or dwarf our spirits, and may great sorrows, even such as the Nation feels in the passing of a mighty hero,[1] This is likely either a reference to Buffalo Bill (1846-1917), American frontiersman, famous for this Buffalo Bill’s Wild West circus, recipient of the Medal of Honor, who died on January 10th that year, or to George Dewey (1837-1917), American naval officer, only officer to attain the rank of Admiral of the Navy, who died on the 16th of January. –Aharon Varady serve to inspire us the more to do our part bravely and loyally for God, for country, and for humanity. |
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O God,
bless Thou this land whose walls are salvation and whose gates are praise, a land upon which may rest Thine eyes forevermore in benediction and in love. Amen. |
This prayer of the guest chaplain was offered at the tail end of the 64th US Congress. The source images of the prayer were copied by Howard Mortman and shared via his @CongressRabbi Twitter account. All credit to Howard Mortman for his research in digging up this prayer. Unfortunately, neither the source images nor his tweets provide an exact citation reference to the volume, issue, and page number of the Congressional Record in which the prayer was published. If you know, leave a comment, or contact us.
Source(s)
Prayer of the Guest Chaplain (Leo Franklin, 19 January 1917)
Notes
| 1 | This is likely either a reference to Buffalo Bill (1846-1917), American frontiersman, famous for this Buffalo Bill’s Wild West circus, recipient of the Medal of Honor, who died on January 10th that year, or to George Dewey (1837-1917), American naval officer, only officer to attain the rank of Admiral of the Navy, who died on the 16th of January. –Aharon Varady |
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