For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them. – Matthew 18:20
The third president of the United States and writer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, was born on this day in 1743. The lawyer and scientist served in Virginia’s House of Delegates after he left Congress and became the governor of Virginia. Despite owning slaves, he knew the institution was not just, writing in his book, “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his Justice cannot sleep forever.” Jefferson became trade commissioner and then served as U.S. minister, succeeding Benjamin Franklin in the position. Under the new Constitution in 1790, he accepted the role of Secretary of State. He lost to John Adams in the presidential election, becoming vice president in 1796, but won four years later. He tried to maintain neutrality during his second term but could not prevent the eventual war with the British in 1812.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the president and vice president to seek God’s wisdom in governing and deciding policies for the nation.
- For the secretary of state and the U.S. trade representative as they promote the nation’s interests around the world.
