August 3, 1776

Independence was a cataclysmic event for the Anglican church, as it forced ministers to grapple with changing politics. The Book of Common Prayer, the liturgy of the Anglican church, included prayers for the king and royal family, which some ministers changed or removed in the wake of independence. Other ministers chose to close their churches to avoid violence, or continued praying for the king until forced to stop.

The Anglican church was the established church in Virginia, and the Virginia Convention decided to proactively eliminate the prayers for the king on July 5, before they knew about the Declaration. They resolved that certain prayers should be omitted altogether, and other prayers should replace references to the king and royal family with references to “all rulers” and “the magistrates of this commonwealth.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

WILLIAMSBURG, July 5.
In CONVENTION, July 5, 1776.

Resolved, That the following sentences in the morning and evening service shall be omitted: “O Lord, save the King. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.”

That the 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th sentences in the litany, for the King’s Majesty, and the Royal Family, &c. shall be omitted.

That the two prayers for the King’s Majesty, and the Royal Family, in the morning and evening service shall be omitted.

That the prayers in the Communion service which acknowledge the authority of the King, and so much of the prayer for the church militant as declares the same authority, shall be omitted, and this alteration made in one of the above prayers in Communion service: “Almighty and everlasting God, we are taught by thy holy word, that the hearts of all rulers are in thy governance, and that thou dost dispose and turn them as it seemeth best to thy godly wisdom; we humbly beseech thee so to dispose and govern the hearts of the magistrates of this commonwealth, that is all their thoughts, words and works, they may ever more seek thy honor and glory, and study to preserve thy people committed to their charge, in wealth, peace, and godliness. Grant this, O merciful Father, for thy dear son’s sake, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.”

That the following prayer shall be used, instead of the prayer for the King’s Majesty, in the morning and evening service: “O Lord our heavenly father, high and mighty, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the only Ruler of the universe, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth, most heartily we beseech thee with thy favor to behold the magistrates of this commonwealth, and so replenish them with the grace of thy holy spirit, that they may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way; endue them plenteously with heavenly gifts; strengthen them, that they may vanquish and overcome all their enemies; and finally, after this life, they may obtain everlasting joy and felicity, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.”

In the 20th sentence of the litany use these words: “That it may please thee to endue the magistrates of this commonwealth with grace, wisdom, and understanding.” 

In the succeeding one, use these words: “That it may please thee to bless and keep them, giving them grace to execute justice, and maintain truth.”
Let every other sentence of the litany be retained, without any alteration, except the above sentences recited.

EDWARD PENDLETON, President.
(A copy.)
John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention.