January 4, 2017 – Christmas + 10
Peter Marshall, Chaplain of the Senate

“He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.” Mark 6:1-6

Pastor Peter Marshall, pastor at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC was twice appointed as Chaplain of the US Senate. (Wikipedia)

On this day, January 4, 1947: “the Senate appointed Peter Marshall to be their chaplain. Senators used to come early just to hear him pray. And this is how he prayed: “O Lord our God, even at this moment as we come blundering into Thy presence in prayer, we are haunted by memories of duties unperformed, promptings disobeyed, and beckonings ignored. Opportunities to be kind knocked on the door of our hearts and went weeping away…” He died in 1949 at the age of forty-five from a heart attack.” (Inimitable Peter Marshall Took on the Senate, by Dan Graves, MSL)

Here is an example of Pastor Marshall’s prayers, he titled it: “For God’s Grace in Our Helplessness”

“We know, our Father, that at this desperate hour in world affairs, we need Thee. We need Thy strength, Thy guidance, Thy wisdom. There are problems far greater than any wisdom of man can solve. What shall our leaders do in such an hour? May Thy wisdom and Thy power come upon the President of these United States, the Senates and Congressmen, to whom have been entrusted leadership. May the responsibility lie heavily on their hearts, until they are ready to acknowledge their helplessness and turn to Thee. Give to them the honest, the courage, and the moral integrity to confess that they don’t know what to do. Only then can they lead us as a nation beyond human wisdom to Thee, who alone hast the answer. Lead us to this high adventure. Remind us that a “might fortress is our God” – not a hiding place where we can escape for an easy life, but rather an arsenal of courage and strength – the mightiest of all, who will march beside us into the battle for righteousness and world brotherhood. O our God, may we never recover from our feeling of helplessness and our need of Thee! In the strong name of Jesus, our Lord, we pray. Amen.”

Pastor Dave