June 12, 1775 - Continental Congress Urges Colonists to Pray

"A Day of Public Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer," Continental Congress proclamation, June 12, 1775. Public domain document from the Journals of the Continental Congress.

The American Revolution had barely begun when the leaders of the colonies turned to prayer. Less than two months after the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Continental Congress proclaimed June 12, 1775, as a day of “humiliation, fasting, and prayer.” Delegates urged colonists to seek God’s forgiveness, ask for His protection, and pray for wisdom as they faced an uncertain future.

The proclamation came at a pivotal moment. Armed conflict with Great Britain was underway, but independence had not yet been declared. Many colonists still hoped for reconciliation, while others believed war was inevitable. In the midst of political turmoil and military danger, Congress called the people to acknowledge their dependence upon divine providence.

The text of the proclamation encouraged Americans to confess their sins and to pray that God would “bless our rightful sovereign King George the Third” and restore peace and harmony within the British Empire. At the same time, it asked God to preserve the liberties of the colonies and guide their leaders in wisdom. The document reflected the complex situation of 1775—a people increasingly committed to defending their rights but not yet fully separated from Britain.

Days of fasting and prayer were familiar practices in colonial America. Churches across the colonies gathered for special services, and many citizens spent the day in worship and reflection. Such observances demonstrated how deeply religious convictions shaped public life during the Revolutionary era.

The June 12 proclamation reminds us that many of America’s founders viewed spiritual dependence as essential during times of crisis. Before independence was declared, before the Continental Army won a major victory, and before the United States existed as a nation, colonial leaders publicly called upon God for guidance and blessing.

Why This Matters:

The Continental Congress’s call to fasting and prayer illustrates the important role faith played in the lives of many Americans during the Revolutionary period. Faced with uncertainty and conflict, they believed that political action should be accompanied by humility, repentance, and prayer.