Tappahannock, the little tidewater Virginia town I lived in through high school was founded in 1682 and before that, the area was visited by Captain John Smith of Jamestown's founding. Remnants of Pocahontas' nation of indigenous peoples still populate the southern portion of Essex county. It was great a place to live and learn history. Especially those histories of our founding events and people.
In 1606 when John Smith and Christopher Newport set sail from England they were authorized by the same King James I who ordered the English translation of the Bible, now known in many parts of the world as the KJV. Newport was Captain over the three vessels, the Discovery, the Susan Constant and the Godspeed, with Smith having to wait until landfall to take his charge in establishing the first English speaking settlement in the “New World,” Jamestown. Smith was not a good passenger and was charged with mutiny only to be saved by the royal charter’s taking effect as soon as they were standing on the banks of the Powhatan River.
Prayers in English were first prayed in the New World in Jamestown. The Rev. Robert Hunt led the settlers in intercession twice a day -- every day -- as they sought God for wisdom, provision, and protection. In fact, after the declaration that essentially freed Smith from the charge of mutiny the next official act by the English in the New World was a corporate prayer.
They sailed with much support and hope and some anticipation for economic return on their investment but the longer, landed story of Jamestown is not a good example of “getting one’s money’s worth.” Mosquitos, rats, harsh weather, and bad relations with the “locals” all made what quickly became bad only get worse. For sure they never stopped praying.
Their ambitions and actions -- the very ones they prayed to God for success -- included the slaughter and subjugation of those members of the Powhatan nations who preceded them to those tidal riverbanks. A harsh truth.
But that's how this history thing works. And as time passes we celebrate differently and we focus our observances to remember more than us and our people. The Episcopal Church in its General Convention of 2009 refuted the "doctrine of discovery" and pledged to remember and celebrate our histories differently.
That's how this prayer thing works, too. And it works best when it starts with as broad and generous a view as one's petitions allow. And it demands -- just like our historicizing -- careful correction and refocusing, especially when we blend our national ambitions into our prayers.
As Independence Day approaches let's keep our view broad and generous as we pray,
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (For the Nation, BCP, 258)
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