Me:  You are walking downtown.

Prodigal:  Yes, this is where the city’s decisions are made at times.

Me:  Do you think they are making good decisions?

Prodigal:  I am not sure.

 

This is from the book Beyond Our Selves by Catherine Marshall

 

In the summer of 1787 in Philadelphia, the Constitutional Convention was in full swing.  The sessions were long and wearying.  May and a part of June had come and gone.  There were marked differences and long debates.  At a critical point, Benjamin Franklin, the oldest delegate in the assembly, rose and mad a daring and impassioned speech:

Mr. President:  The small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance…is, methinks a melancholy proof of the imperfection of human understanding.  We indeed seem to feel our want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it…

In this situation…how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illumine our understanding?  In the beginning of the contest with Great Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayer in this room.  Our prayers, Sir…were graciously answered….And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend?  Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?

 

So what is your plan?  Do you think we no longer need God’s assistance?

 

Psalm 120:1

In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodgialpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org