As chaplain of the United States Senate, Peter Marshall prayed over the leaders of our country faithfully. His simple words of child-like faith are still applicable to us today, and encourage us to never give up praying for the leaders of our nation. 

O God, at this moment the senators and the representatives of the people of this nation humbly implore Thy help and guidance. Make it a sacred moment, a moment when men are aware of their need of God, a moment when answers come and guidance is given. Often we pray for that which is already ours, neglected and unused. Sometimes, we pray for that which we must do for ourselves. How many times we never pray at all, and then work ourselves to death to earn something that is ours for the asking. Helps us to understand that faith without works is dead, and works without faith can never live. Amen. 

Monday, May 17, 1948

“Make it a moment when men are aware of their need of God.” Has there ever been a time more fitting to pray this over the leaders of our country? 1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds us to pray without ceasing, while Galatians 6:9 tells us to not grow weary in doing good, and 1 Timothy 2:1–2 says to lift up our leaders in prayer. 

May we continually press on to lift our the leaders of our states and our federal government in prayer that they might be made aware of their need for God. 

Excerpt taken from “The Senate Prayers of Peter Marshall” by Chapman Billies Incorporated