While the founding fathers were drafting the U.S. Constitution, they got bogged down for five weeks, unable to break a deadlock. Benjamin Franklin arose and encouraged these founding fathers to pray for wisdom. God honored his attitude and the deadlock soon ended. In Franklin’s early life, he owned slaves, but he became convinced slavery was ungodly and unchristian. He got rid of his slaves, became president of an abolitionist society that worked to abolish slavery. He asked for funds to educate former slaves and to find work for them. In Daniel chapter 9, we see how Daniel, in exile, identified with the sins of his people and prayed for them this way, “O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act!” Like Daniel confessing the sins of his people, Benjamin Franklin came to realize slavery as sin. He asked God for wisdom to help him repair the lives of many who had been damaged by slavery. Daniel and Franklin can teach us the value of admitting our faults and making amends.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr.
Dr. Melvin E. Banks, Sr. is the founder and chairman of UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.). Under his direction, UMI has grown to be a leading publisher of Christian education resources for churches in the African American community. Read More
