Founder faith

In September of 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to decide on a response to Britain's "Intolerable Acts." Things were tense, and they were told (incorrectly) that the British had already bombarded Boston, where some of their families were. 

The very first day it was suggested that they have a clergyman come and pray for wisdom for their meetings. Though their churches varied, Sam Adams settled it by saying, "I am no bigot, I can hear a prayer from a man of piety and virtue, who is at the same time a friend to his country."

So Anglican priest Jacob Duche came and read Psalm 35, the assigned Anglican scripture for the day. It's all about asking God for help against enemies.

In a letter to his wife, John Adams recorded the effect of that scripture and the prayers on the congress:

"I never saw a greater effect upon an audience. It seemed as if heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that morning . . . We prayed for America, for our Congress, for the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston. Our prayers were enough to melt a heart of stone."

(from On Two Wings)