“God governs in the affairs of men” -Ben Franklin

The following is an excerpt from Benjamin Franklin’s speech to the assembly at the Constitutional Convention held in 1787.


Background story: The group had been meeting for 5 weeks thus far and had come to a standstill ,unable to break the gridlock.

Old Ben, who was then eighty-one,then suggested :


“In the beginning of the Contest with Great Britain,when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.Our prayers,Sir,were heard,and they were graciously answered…


I have lived ,Sir, a long time ,and the longer I live ,the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God Governs in the Affairs of men.

And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice,is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?


…I therefore beg leave to move- that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven ,and its blessings on our deliberations,be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business ,and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that Service”.