I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests,
plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this way for kings
and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and
quietness, in godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our
Savior, for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. (1
Timothy 2:1-4)

Many Americans look forward to Presidents Day weekend because it means they
have a day off from work or school. However, some seem to have forgotten why
it is a holiday -- fewer states and municipalities sponsor celebrations of
any kind and the focus has shifted to retail sales.  Originally designated
for a memorial of Washington's birthday, the day has sadly dwindled from
what it once was. Some would argue George Washington's legacy is no longer
relevant, and others seek to mar his legacy by spreading myths and rumors.
The fact is had he not served as its leader, America, as we know it today,
would not exist. His contributions to our nation are more applicable today
than ever before.

Not only did Washington lead the colonies to victory in the Revolutionary
War -- often overcoming insurmountable difficulties -- but he also played a
pivotal role in the development of our Constitution, presiding over the
Constitutional Convention and ensuring all arguments and opinions were
considered. For example, Washington permitted the convention to vote 60
times on the method to be used in selecting a president. This eventually led
to the creation of the Electoral College to protect the rights of the
smaller states from the power of the larger ones.

Of course, much of Washington's strength came from his religious beliefs; in
fact, he once wrote, "No man has a more perfect reliance on the all-wise and
powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have, nor thinks His aid
more necessary." He was the one who spontaneously added the words, "so help
me God" to the Presidential oath of office, and he often acknowledged that
we would have suffered disaster in the struggle for independence had God not
intervened in our behalf.

If he, as one of the greatest leaders in our country's history, felt prayer
was important, how much more important should it be for each of us? If he
was humble enough to recognize God's role in his accomplishments, how can we
not do the same?

At his request, Washington was buried without any funeral oration, so the
lack of celebration of his birth would doubtlessly not bother him.  However,
we can honor his life by emulating his example of welcoming and listening to
all viewpoints as well as placing God first in our lives and acknowledging
His blessings.

May we never forget George Washington or any of the other men and women who
shaped our nation. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the freedoms we
enjoy today.

Steven W. Allen is author of Founding Fathers - Uncommon Heroes, which
examines the lives of six Founding Fathers, including how they turned to God
for strength and inspiration.