Finding common cause in our past, present and future

Savenor is the CEO of Civic spirita nonpartisan organization that provides training and resources to religious schools across the United States.

In an era of intense political divisions and polarization, it can be easy to look to simpler times and even to the “good old days.” In fact, our ancestors faced their own challenges and wrestled with differences that may have seemed like obstacles to the future.

One example occurred on the first day of the Continental Congress in September 1774. When one delegate suggested that the session begin with prayer, there was a great deal of opposition, because the delegates represented a variety of religious beliefs ranging from Anabaptists to Quakers . Seeking to bridge the gap, Samuel Adams of Boston persuaded his peers to move forward by asserting that he “was no fanatic, and could hear a prayer from any man of piety and virtue who was at the same time a friend of his country.”

The council opened the September 7 session with Pastor Jacob Duce offering several prayers. Most vividly remembered is the Philadelphia cleric's reading of the first three verses of Psalm 35, which reads: “To David. Strive against my adversaries, O Lord, fight against my adversaries. Take up the shield and shield and come to my defense. Prepare spears and spears against my pursuers. Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.' ».

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John Adams described the answer to this prayer in a letter to his wife Abigail: “I must confess that I never heard a better prayer… American [and] For Congress. …She's been an excellent influence on everyone here. While the words of this man who would become our second president convey the spirit of the moment, generations later we wonder why they had the effect.

Several theories attempt to explain why Psalm 35 resonated so deeply with members of the Continental Congress that day. One view suggests that the founders were inspired to define America by the biblical David fighting victoriously against England, representing the giant Goliath. Philosopher and theologian Michael Novak believes that “it is the mission of providence and covenant that has enabled Americans, past and present, to overcome their differences and unite their individual agendas in a common destiny.”

I suggest that the inspiration came from finding a way forward. What began as a dissonant debate turned into a harmonious moment that generated a civic spirit to embrace common purpose.

Two and a half centuries later, that moment in American history inspired the work of democratic and civic education organizations, including Civic Spirit, of which I belong. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower schools across faith traditions to promote civic belonging, knowledge, and responsibility in their student and faculty communities. We believe that this investment in hope, love, and energy will produce the next generation of engaged citizens and civic leaders who will overcome their differences and chart a course for our country through common cause.

At the conclusion of John Adams' letter to his beloved wife, he asked Abigail to read Psalm 35 and share it with her friends. In the same vein, I encourage us all to share the story of the Continental Congress and the courageous evolution of American democracy to show what is possible when we find common cause.

American society needs this feeling in 2024 more than ever. With a commitment to education, conversation, and collaboration, a brighter future is within our reach.