Laus Deo
George Washington's prayer for America...
Laus Deo
George Washington's prayer for America...
In Washington , D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the
Washington Monument. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in
Washington, D.C., are displayed two words: Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally
unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.
These words have been there for many years: they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches
high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of the United
States of America, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District
of Columbia, capital of the U.S.A.
'Laus Deo' - two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one
might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over
what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.
Those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven
letters, mean,
“Praise be
to God!”
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was
President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was
inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap
the memorial.
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors take in the
beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments.
From that vantage point, one can also see the original plan of the designer,
Pierre Charles l'Enfant. A perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the
White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to
the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross -
separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution.
Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the
steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message:
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;
On the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
On the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and
Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to
God!
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848,
deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the
Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction,
and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of a unique
democracy:
“One Nation,
Under God.”
Here is Washington's prayer for America:
“Almighty
God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy
holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate
a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly
affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United
States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to
dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that
charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of
the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of
whose e example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant
our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
You may forget the width and height of
“Laus Deo”,
its location, or the architects - but no one who reads this will forget its
meaning, or the words:
“Unless the
Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over
the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
(Psalm 127:1)
Laus Deo!