Patriotic Prayers

Today, as I think of all the men and women who have fought wars on our behalf, my mind goes to those relatives who have served this country well. The brother of my great, great grandfather, Dr. Henry Noble Couden, was a corporal in the Union Army during the Civil War. He later studied theology and at the age of 53 became the chaplain of the House of Representatives. Known as the "Blind Chaplain," he opened sessions in the House from 1895 to 1921 and officiated at the funerals of many notable statemen and their families. He died one year after he retired, at the age of 80.

At the sinking of the Titanic, he prayed:
We thank Thee that though in the ordinary circumstances of life selfishness and greed seem to be in the ascendancy, yet in times of distress and peril, then it is that the nobility of soul, the Godlike in man, asserts itself and makes heroes.

On January 5, 1911, he gave the following prayer at the beginning of House proceedings:

Eternal and overliving God, our heavenly Father, once more in the ceaseless flow of time Thou hast brought us to the beginning of a new year, rich in the material, intellectual, moral, and spiritual wealth of all the past. Help us, we beseech Thee, with high resolves to face the future without fear, for as Thou hast been in our past so shalt Thou be in our future, a very present help in every need. And grant that our failures may be stepping- stones to a brighter future, that, passing on, we shall leave to coming generations a better Government, a better world. ... And Thine be the praise forever. Amen.

On January 7, 1912, he opened House proceedings with this prayer:

Infinite Spirit, our God and our Father, who holdest in Thy heart the secret of life and the mystery of death, Thou knowest the beginning and the end.

Behold! we know not anything;
We can but trust that good shall fall.
At last - far off - at last, to all,
And every winter change to spring.

We bless Thee, O Father, for the profound faith, sublime hope, and imperishable love - qualities of soul which inspire the great thoughts, the heroic deeds, and bind us together into families and friendships which shall live on forever. We are met by a common impulse, a natural desire to record on the pages of history the rounded-out character and splendid achievements of a faithful public servant, that his example may be an inspiration to us and those who shall come after us to emulate his virtues [Senator Elkin of West Virginia, recently deceased]. Let the everlasting arms be about the confiding and stricken wife, his children, and friends drawn to him by a loving and genial nature, that we may look forward with bright anticipations to a reunion in some fairer clime where changes never come. And blessing and honor and praise be Thine. In the spirit of the Master. Amen.

And finally, a July 4 prayer, 1918:

Our Father in Heaven, the inspiration of every generous impulse, every high and noble aspiration, we thank Thee from our heart of hearts for the "Spirit of '76," which gave to us the immortal Declaration of Independence, which led on to victory and the formation of our Glorious Republic, which has not only been the wonder but the admiration of the world. We thank Thee for the day which will be celebrated with more than usual interest throughout the length and breadth of the land. The native born and the naturalized citizen will vie with each other in making it memorable.
For the first time in its history it will be celebrated by our sister nations, who are engaged with us in fighting for the same principles for which our forefather fought, in a world-wide war for humanity, liberty, justice, and equal rights for all mankind.
May it furnish new inspiration to us and our allies, which will bring victory to their arms; then an everlasting peace; to the glory and honor of Thy Holy Name. Amen.
Accessed from http://www.american.edu/heintze/Prayers.htm