The Constitutional Convention Miracle: A Call for Prayer

It is 1787 and the newly formed and freed United States of America is once again in trouble. These states are in need of a new government that is strong at its core but also protects the rights given to each man and woman.

The Constitutional Convention is called to order in the spring with the task of replacing the Articles of Confederation with a new form of government. This task would be monumental! It had never been done before. The ideals set forth were unheard of- a government for the people, by the people and of the people. Could it really be done?

Several weeks into the Convention, it seemed like it could not be done. No one could agree on what this new government and its ruling document would look like and say. It seemed like the War for Independence would be in vain and the states would fall back under a tyrannical government.

One month into the debates, the oldest member of the Convention, Benjamin Franklin, at the age of 81, stood before the 55 delegate and proclaimed this-

“In this situation of this assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, sir, that we have no hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine Protection. Our prayers, sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered…. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance? 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?... 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…”

Prayers were sent up to God beginning that day, and progress was made each and every day moving forward in creating the Constitution. On September 17, 1787, 39 of the delegates signed the United States Constitution. On that day, Benjamin Franklin spoke to the Convention and stated-

“From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded… and that our States are on the point of separation only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting each others throats.”

There has been nothing else created by man that came as close to perfection as did this document.

236 years later, we still view this divine document as the law of the land. It is one of the longest held Constitutions among all nations in the world.