historical problem. At prayers in the House of Lords and
the House of Commons a singularly impressive prayer is used. It begins "Almighty God, by wham alone Kings reign and Princes decree justice, and from whom alone cometh all counsel, wisdom and understanding,"
and continues with the petition
"that, we having Thy fear always before our eyes, that laying aside all private interests, prejudices and partial affections, the result of all our counsels may be to the glory of Thy blessed Name, the maintenance of true religion and justice, the safety, honour and happiness of the King, the publick wealth, peace and tranquillity of the Realm . . ."
Now regarding the origin of the prayer nothing can be discovered.
Neither the chaplain nor the late chaplain of the House of Commons can throw light on it. Nor, I believe, can any official of the House of Lords. The prayer is known to have been used since the assembly
of the Restoration Parliament in 166o, but how much further back it goes, and who was its author, no one appears to know—for the story that a committee was once appointed to draft a prayer for Parlia- ment and the chairman of it dreamed this prayer must be dismissed
as legendary. Can anyone help?
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